Porsche team principal Florian Modlinger blasted the decision to finish the 2025‑26 Formula E season on London’s ExCeL circuit, claiming the narrow, twisty layout engineered a chaotic finale that altered the championship outcome.
The chaos of the London finale
The closing two races at the ExCeL arena saw Porsche and Jaguar duel for titles, with Cupra Kiro driver Dan Ticktum and Porsche’s Nico Müller supporting Pascal Wehrlein. Jaguar’s Antonio Felix da Costa mirrored the tactic on Sunday, defending midfield driver Mitch Evans. In the 35‑lap showdown, Wehrlein’s collision with Andretti’s Jake Dennis on lap 31 eliminated both from the points, and a later three‑place grid penalty for contact with Joel Eriksson tarnished his finish.
Modlinger’s criticism and early warning
“I said before the weekend that a chaos‑prone finale would showcase chaotic racing,” Modlinger told Motorsport.com. He added that the ExCeL layout, designed for a unique indoor/outdoor combo, left little room for adjustments and is ill‑suited for the faster Gen 4 cars debuting next season.
Earlier, he described the 2025‑26 London event with a mix of affection and disappointment. “I’m happy we’ll leave, but I’m not fond of the chaos the track creates,” he said, highlighting that Formula E’s shift toward permanent circuits would mitigate the unpredictability he feels in London.
Porsche’s triumphant campaign
Despite the turbulence, Porsche sealed both drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships, with ACL drivers’ title only slipping to Jaguar in the teams’ standings. Modlinger’s remarks now point to a need for a different venue that still delivers excitement without compromising fairness.
Looking toward Brands Hatch and Tokyo
Moving the UK round to Brands Hatch next year and selecting Tokyo as the new season finale marks Formula E’s move toward permanently lit circuits. Modlinger warned that the Gen 4 cars will bring even more speed, implying that “Tokyo will again be chaos.”
The ExCeL track had hosted the penultimate race in 2021 and became the finale in 2023. It delivered high‑intensity races, notably Wehrlein’s title‑stealing win in 2024, yet its constraints are a growing concern as the series evolves.
Modlinger’s candid assessment signals a pivotal moment for Formula E: balancing the fan‑drawn heritage of street circuits with the technical demands of forthcoming car generations.
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