Stoffel Vandoorne wants Formula E rule change to solve "impossible" problem

26 January 2023 , 08:00

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Stoffel Vandoorne is the defending Formula E champion (Image: Getty Images)

Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne wants to see a rule change which he feels would make overtaking easier and the sport more exciting to watch.

The Belgian won the 2022 title by 33 points driving for Mercedes-EQ in their final season in the sport. This year is all new for Vandoorne, with a newly-formed team in DS Penske and brand new third generation cars which are marketed as the fastest electric race cars ever built.

After finishing 10th in the first race of the new season earlier this month, the Mexico City E-Prix, Vandoorne has raised a point about the current rules. "With the current regulations we have, the races seem to accelerate which means there’s less energy saving and overtaking becomes kind of impossible," he told Mirror Sport.

"So there are still a couple of things to figure out, from a regulations point of view. How to make the races a little bit more exciting, because at the moment it feels like overtaking is quite challenging. It's important to keep that aspect in Formula E, because that's what makes the show go on."

As the 30-year-old admits himself, it is far too early to draw any conclusions about the new cars FE drivers are using this year. Far more data and experience will need to be gathered before a true verdict can be given about the Gen3 machines.

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But even this early on in their lifespan, Vandoorne has noticed at least one aspect about them which he personally would like to see improved. He added: "They're obviously more powerful cars, quite different with a motor on the front axle as well which now gives a lot of regen power.

Vandoorne raced a Gen3 Formula E car for the first time earlier this month at the Mexico City E-Prix (Getty Images)

"The tyres are very different and probably the biggest change for drivers and teams to get used to. They have less grip than last year so they’re moving around a lot, and that makes them challenging to drive.

"Personally, it would be nice to have a bit more grip and be faster in the corners – that's something I would like to see in the future. It's still a bit early to comment because we've only had one race in Mexico.

"So, let's see how Saudi will be. I hope it's a race where there's a decent amount of energy saving and we can keep the DNA of Formula E where cars are running close to each other and there's constant overtaking in the field."

Stoffel Vandoorne was speaking as an ambassador of SAUDIA, the national airline and National flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For more information on SAUDIA’s partnership with Formula E and how you can get access to exclusive content and prizes visit www.takeyourseat.saudia.com.

Daniel Moxon