Formula E’s Gen4 model left Formula 1 stars in the dust as Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz stopped to marvel at the 208‑mph beast in Monaco.
Monaco E‑Prix Draws Formula 1 Stars
Reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris, alongside drivers such as Carlos Sainz, Nico Hulkenberg, and Oliver Bearman, appeared at the Monaco E‑Prix, rounds nine and ten of the current season. The drivers were the only ones present at the ExCeL event, where they shared the paddock with Formula E officials.
Jeff Dodds, Formula E’s chief executive, described the encounter as the highlight of the campaign. “Seeing drivers like Lando Norris and the others drop their jaws over the Gen4 car felt like a triumph for the championship,” he said. He added that a single line from Norris – “600 kilowatts of power, permanent all‑wheel drive – what more do you need in a race car?” – embodied the performance leap the new car represents.
Gen4: Unprecedented Power and All‑Wheel Drive
The Gen4 platform delivers a top speed of 208 mph and a peak output of 804 bhp, roughly 70 percent more power than its Gen3 predecessor. Only Formula E’s single‑seat field features permanent all‑wheel drive. These changes make the vehicle the fastest electric race car ever built to date.
The switch to a permanent AWD system and the power gain place Gen4 racing in the same bracket as high‑performance combustion machines, a point that drew considerable admiration from the visiting F1 talent.
Championship Pairs Up on London Finale
The season’s title battle narrows to the top four drivers: Jake Dennis, Mitch Evans, Pascal Wehrlein, and Oliver Rowland. Collectively, they have a slim 14‑point spread ahead of the London finale, which will also mark the departure of Gen3 machinery.
Rowland holds the record for most wins in the series, while Evans seeks his first championship after a consecutive six‑race victory streak. Dennis, Wehrlein, and the current champion Rowland stand a chance to join Jean‑Eric Vergne as multi‑title holders.
Implications for the Future
Dodds noted that the weekend’s drama highlighted how the 20 drivers in Formula E could be ready for Formula 1 competition. The data suggest a future where grid parity could elevate the open‑wheel scene, at least in terms of competitiveness and technology.
With the Gen4 car’s arrival cementing a new performance threshold, the entire landscape of electric motorsport is poised to evolve dramatically in 2026.
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