Welcome to January 2024. A new year, a new month and a new Formula E season. One that I am highly anticipating. It's been too long since these "futuristic-looking" cars have graced the race tracks all over the world. However, unfortunately for some - including myself, Formula E won't be as easy to watch in 2024, with a move to a paid-for channel; limiting the easy accessibility that the series has become renowned for. But, that's a story for another time.
If you've been following my blog for some time, you may remember that in 2023 I made some predictions for that year's Formula One season. Yes, some of those predictions I made were extremely far out from what actually happened, but it was fun to look back at the end of the season and see how wrong I was. Therefore, in 2024, with the new Formula E season just days away, I've decided to make some more of those all important predictions. So, grab your coffees and get comfy. Here we go.
A New Champion
In the 9, nearly 10, seasons that FE has been around for, there has only ever been one double World Champion; Jean-Eric Vergne, in Seasons 5 and 6. Could other champions match that feat in 2024? I'm not sure.
Formula E always brings us the unknown; with crazy races and unexpected/several winners throughout the season, it really is difficult to pinpoint as to who could win this year's championship. But, if 2023 is anything to go by, I'd be keeping my beady little eye on Jaguar and their drivers - Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy. Both of who were in with a chance of winning the 2023 title. There are also plenty of other drivers that could also be within a shout. Sam Bird, Pascal Wehrlein, Sacha Fenestraz? There is no calling it. But, if statistics and trends are to go by, this year's champion may well be brand new.
Jaguar Will Be Fierce Competition
In 2023, the Jaguar TCS Racing team meant business. And, although they finished 2nd in that year's Constructors Championship, they will definitely be the ones to watch in 2024, especially if they continue on with, not only last year's success, but also with how well their pre-season test went, as they prepare for the upcoming season.
But what about Envision Racing, the team that won the 2023 Constructor's Championship? Ironically, their star driver from last season - Nick Cassidy, has signed with Jaguar for 2024. With both Cassidy and Evans at Jaguar, it's hard not to believe they have one of the strongest driver line ups going into this season.
The DS Boys Will Be Back To Winning Ways
This a brave prediction I am making. Why? Because I am a DS Penske fan. Their driver line up of Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne was something I wanted in Formula E for a long time and DS gave it me. Last year I said that they were the best line up on the grid and would be a force to be reckoned with. Boy, was I wrong.
Both Vergne and Vandoorne are past champions in the series, but both also had nightmare 2023's, despite a win for Vergne in Hyderabad. Surely things can only get better from here, right? And surely, the jinx I seem to give my favourite drivers will lift eventually? Ask me about this one again at the end of the season.
5 Different Winners In The First Five Races
One of my favourite things in motorsport is when we're lucky enough to witness multiple race winners at the start of the season. Why? Because it's the perfect set up for a fascinating championship battle.
In Formula E, multiple different race winners is the norm. Take last year, for example, there were five different race winners in the first six races. Or Season 7, where there were over 10 different winners in the fifteen race season. So, all in all, this prediction is a relatively reasonable one to make.
A Longstanding Driver Will Retire From FE At The End Of The Season
As we enter the 10th Formula E season, there are still multiple drivers that have been taking part in the series for quite some time. Is it time for them to move onto other pastures? Maybe, maybe not.
You have the likes of Sam Bird, Robin Frijns, Antonio Felix da Costa, Lucas di Grassi and Jean-Eric Vergne, all of who are starting their 8th, 9th and 10th FE seasons. In hindsight, they are all still very young, but after a long time racing FE cars, is a change of scenery in sight? My gut tells me maybe, for one at least. (Please don't be Vergne)
There you go folks. The predictions have been made and the jinxing of favourite drivers has commenced. Will I do any better with these predictions than I did with the F1 ones? Hmmm. You'll have to wait until seasons end to find out.
Don't forget, the season commences on 13th January with the Mexico City E-Prix.
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