Welcome Back Formula E. But, For How Long?

That's quite the melodramatic headline right, because let's be honest, the craziness that is Formula E isn't going anywhere anytime soon. But, surely you knew that this post was coming? Because I, like many others, are disgruntled by the fact another motorsport series that we adore has turned to "pay to view" here in the UK.

Since the conception of the series in the early 2010's, one of the most attractive attributes of Formula E was that it was going to be readily available and accessible for everyone, with live streams of the race on Youtube, alongside live race coverage on the TV. Of course this is how it would begin. How else would they build a following? However, as with most good things, free viewing has come to an end, and with the motorsport community consistently growing in popularity - (thanks but no thanks, Netflix!), we've had yet another motor racing series ripped from our grasp, with only* a bank account standing in the way. *Techincally, nothing is standing in the way if you want to break the law with dodgy streaming sites. You didn't hear that here though. Just my melodramatics.

I can't help but think about the potential negative impacts this could have on Formula E.

Already, despite free viewing, the series has never hit a large following like other motorsport series have. Could this damage an already "mediocre" reputation even more? All you need to do is look at the comments on their social media pages to get an idea of how pissed fans already are. I am extremely intrigued, however, to find out viewing figures from the first race of the season, airing tomorrow on TNT. A channel which charges £30-odd a month. I am stingey. Or not. Maybe Formula E have decided to go down the route of money over quality.

Should I really be so negative about the paywall move? Yes, I am entitled to feel that way. But, it's only because I love this sport and I love this series. Who knows, it may work out for them. We were all so annoyed (and naive and young) when Formula One made the move to behind a pay wall back in 2012; look at them now. Thriving and rolling around in mountains of cash.

Even though I won't be watching via Formula E's new channel, I will get my Formula E fix one way or another. It'll probably have to be highlights and that makes me feel gross. It's just not the same when it isn't live. But, it is what it is and we're going to have to suck it up. Who knows, one day Formula E may just return back where it belongs. In a good way.

I just hope this isn't the beginning of the end.

Formula E - My Season 10 Predictions

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.

My 2023 F1 Predictions - The Verdict

Before the beginning of the 2023 Formula One Season commenced, I did something brave. Very brave. I made a handful of predictions for the season that was ahead of us, and boy, did I make some absolute shockers. Ok, not all was bad. In fact, some were spot on. In this post I am going to be looking back at my, said, predictions and decipher the good from the bad and whether they have any chance of repeating themselves in 2024. Shall we begin?

Let's kick things off with that all important championship. After his performances in 2022, it was hard to think of anyone, bar Max Verstappen, whom would take home the 2023 Championship trophy. And, after a challenge by teammate; Sergio Perez, in the earlier stages of the season, not one driver managed to get close to Verstappen, with the now Triple World Champ breaking numerous records and taking home 19 out of the 22 wins possible. There is no denying that Verstappen has earned his place in the F1 history books, and it's more than likely he could continue with his current performance into 2024 and beyond.

Max Verstappen Will Win His 3rd Consecutive World Championship ✔

My next prediction was something that I have wanted to see happen in Formula One since Fernando Alonso's departure from Ferrari back at the end of 2014. Low and behold, the Spanish drivers fulfills this "prophecy" during the first race of the season in Bahrain.

One of the biggest shocks came in the Winter break, between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, with Alonso announcing a move from Alpine to Aston Martin. Was it a good move? Who knew. After a third place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Alonso and Aston Martin would go onto score a total of eight podiums throughout 2023. However, it's a shame that the car development dropped off in the second half season. Could've we seen a win for the Double World Champ? Unfortunatley, that's something we will never know. Regardless, I can't wait to see more Alonso battles and podiums in the upcoming season. So, get working on that car, Aston Martin!

Fernando Alonso Will Get A Podium ✔

A teammate rivalry is always a happy sight in Formula One. Maybe not for the team involved, but for fans it adds a touch of spice. In 2023, things were on the quieter side, with the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell getting closest in the "who falls out first" battle. There were also slight glimpses of tension down at Ferrari, but nothing fully evolved, in what was probably the preferred outcome with new contracts for both drivers on the horizon. Of course, the likes of social media and journalism create and emphasis pointless drama. But, with things reportedly just touching the sidelines in some teams, could 2024 become explosive?

A New Teammate Rivalry X

Haas. I'm sorry I made a prediction about them, as they endured one of their most difficult seasons to date. In 2023, although the team had a decent driver line up in the form of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, the race pace failed to materialse, and the team finished last in the constructors standings with a dismal 12 points. If recent seasons are anything to go by, the team start strong before dropping off about a third of the way through. It's a sorry sight and the trend didn't continue, with only 7 points scored between both drivers in the first 3 races. Can they have a better start to 2024? Or, how about a better 2024 in general?

Haas Will Have A Strong Start to the Season X

Williams' 2023 season was nothing more than "bittersweet." With one driver clearly out-performing the car and the other, well, not, the team's finishing position in the championsipship (7th) couldn't be bettered. It's fair to note that driver, Alexander Albon, had a stellar season in a car that wasn't fanatstic, scoring all the team's points bar one. Unfortunatley though, although the team seem to be improving compared to recent years, they're still not quite there, with point finishes few and far between. Standard for the current crop of back markers. If they continue their current upward trend, surely they'll feature in the points on a more regular basis.

Williams Will be Regular Point Scorers X

This prediction started strong and looked to be one that would continue to develop over the course of the season. Luckily for McLaren fans, it didn't. A tough start to the season saw a couple of DNFs and several zero point finishes. However, the team from Woking never gave up and when updates were brought from Silverstone onwards, they became Red Bull's strongest competitor, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri proving they are the real deal with the nine podium finishes between them. Not to mention the excellent sprint race results. Could McLaren be the team to take it to Red Bull next year? We NEED more competition!

A Tough Season for McLaren X

As I've already discussed, 2023 was Verstappen and Red Bull's year, with VER winning 19 races and Perez, 2. Carlos Sainz was the only driver, outside of Red Bull, to take home a win. That means there were only 3 winners in 2023, all of whom have won races before. The only drivers that are yet to win that got close are the McLarens of Norris and Piastri. However, Piastri did take the win at the Sprint race in Qatar. Unfortuatley for the rookie, it wasn't the main Grand Prix. I have no doubt that a win is coming for the McLaren duo. Could 2024 be their year?

A First Time Winner X

Shall we just all admit now that our expectations for Nyck de Vries were too high in 2023? With a Formula 2 and Formula E championship under his belt, you can't blame anyone for having such high expectations on him, especially Red Bull who took him on as an Alpha Tauri driver for the season. Unfortunatley, after a string of bad performances, he was dropped and replaced by Daniel Ricciardo. Standard for the Red Bull team. But, with a car that severely under-performed and a driver that failed to score points during his short F1 career; Nyck de Vries is definitely not Rookie of the Year and I would like to apologise to him for jinxing his career with this prediction.

Nyck de Vries: Rookie of the Year X

Well, if there is anything I have learnt from this post is that I am really bad at making predictions. Jinxing, I am good at. Will it stop me from making predictions for the 2024 season? Heck, no. Stay tuned for that one.