What is Formula E? When does the 2024 season start? How does the points system work? Who is racing?

The new season of Formula E is upon us – with the first round taking place in Mexico City on Saturday, January 13.

After Jake Dennis became world champin and Envision Racing took the team title last time out, who will dominate this time around?

We have been taking a look at what you can expect.

Formula E is the only motorsport where cars are fully electric. Despite being battery powered, vehicles can reach up to speeds of 174mph, but are far quieter than cars you would encounter at other motor racing events.

Organisers of the Formula E World Championship have previously said that it is “more than just a racing series – it’s a battle for the future”, with the promotion of sustainability aimed at combating urban air pollution and lessening the impact of climate change.

The first-ever Formula E race took place in 2014 and was hosted at the Olympic Park in Beijing. Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi was the winner on that day and has gone on to compete in more races than any other driver and top the podium a record 13 times.

Eleven teams with two drivers each compete in Formula E, with Envision Racing going into the new season as defending champions after clinching victory in the final race of the last campaign. Britain’s Jake Dennis – who races for Andretti – is the reigning champion.

Here are how the teams are lining up in 2024:

There are 16 rounds of action taking place during Season 10, with cities around the world hosting the Championship. Misano has replaced Rome as the Italian venue this season, and the third new venue on the roster alongside Tokyo and Shanghai.

• Round 1 – Mexico City, Mexico – January 13
• Round 2 – Diriyah, Saudi Arabia – January 26
• Round 3 – Diriyah, Saudi Arabia – January 27
• Round 4 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – March 16
• Round 5 – Tokyo, Japan – March 30
• Round 6 – Misano, Italy – April 13
• Round 7 – Misano, Italy – April 14
• Round 8 – Monaco – April 27
• Round 9 – Berlin, Germany – May 11
• Round 10 – Berlin, Germany – May 12
• Round 11 – Shanghai, China – May 25
• Round 12 – Shanghai, China – May 26
• Round 13 – Portland, USA – June 29
• Round 14 – Portland, USA – June 30
• Round 15 – London, England – July 20
• Round 16 – London, England – July 21

As you can see from above, some cities host more than one round of action during a weekend – that is a double-header.

Unlike other motorsport events which are spread throughout a weekend, most of the action take place on race day. Drivers will enjoy a half an hour practice session on the Friday, before the big moments play out of race day. That means a second practice, qualifying and the actual race all happen on one day.

The race is set to be a predetermined number of laps, but if the safety car comes out, more laps can be added. Also, if the race director declares a ‘Full Course Yellow’ for safety reasons, then again, laps can be added. The final number of laps in the race is announced three laps before the end. It is generally expected that the race will last around an hour.

A standard points system is used in races, similar to what you see in other FIA-sanctioned events. The top 10 finishers will all pick up points and they are divvied up as follows:

• 1st – 25pts
• 2nd – 18pts
• 3rd – 15pts
• 4th – 12pts
• 5th – 10pts
• 6th – 8pts
• 7th – 6pts
• 8th – 4pts
• 9th – 2pts
• 10th – 1pt

The driver who secures pole position receives an additional three points, while the driver (from the top ten) who sets the fastest lap is given an extra point.

First up is the groups stage where two groups of 11 are split on the grid and they fight it out across 10 minutes for the fastest lap time. The four quickest from each group progress to the Duels stages.

Those eight drivers then go head-to-head in a 15-minute quarter-final. The fastest four go into the semi-finals and they go at it again before the last two standing fight it out for pole position. The runner-up takes second spot on the grid, the losing semi-finalists go third and forth with the quarter-finalists filling the gaps between fifth and eighth, depending on lap times.

The remaining drivers fill the final spots on the grid – with those from the polesitter’s group in the odd positions, and the other group taking up the even positions.

Jake Dennis will no doubt be desperate to keep his crown, but faces yet another almighty battle with Nick Cassidy.

Cassidy took four victories last season, and helped Envision to the team title, but missed out on the top prize individually. He has switched teams to join Jaguar TCS Racing this time around.

Last year’s third placed racer Mitch Evans and Pascal Wehrlein, who finished fourth, will also be keen to push for the front.