by Topher Smith & Alex Johnston
The streets of Sao Paulo will once again be electrified as Formula E returns to Brazil to kick off Season 11 of the all-electric championship.
Pascal Wehrlein enters the season as the defending champion having fought off the Jaguar duo of Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy at the Season 10 finale in London back in July, while it was the efforts of Evans and Cassidy that gave Jaguar the teams' title.
Two new teams will join the field in the form of Lola Yamaha and Kiro Race Co, while Taylor Barnard and David Beckmann will contest their first full seasons with McLaren and Kiro respectively. Zane Maloney joins the field as the only true rookie as the Boy from Barbados makes his all-electric debuth with Lola.
Amidst a raft of driver changes heading into Season 11, coupled with new venues in a 16-race calendar, this is shaping up to be another classic season of unpredictable action.
Even though it is seemingly unpredictable, we’ve had a go at predicting it anyway!
Drivers' champion
Topher Smith: It is about time Jaguar took home a drivers' title. Mitch Evans has finished in the top three in the standings in the last three seasons and so far is becoming the Stirling Moss of Formula E in that he is the championship's greatest driver to not win the title. However, on the other side of the garage is a driver in Nick Cassidy who really should have wrapped up Season 10 in Portland were it not for his spin. If I had to place money on one or the other... Cassidy.
Alex Johnston: Oliver Rowland made his full season comeback in 2023-24 season for Nissan and performed to a consistent and stellar standard, ending the season fourth overall, averaging a podium every two races and winning twice. If he can come back to the 24-25 season as strong as he showcased in the last season, he will be a real contender - and perhaps a title is overdue for him.
Teams' champion
TS: I don't see any reason to believe it won't be a second successive title for Jaguar given the potency of its driver line-up, but it would be foolish to completely discount the likes of Porsche, Andretti, and DS Penske, the latter of which I believe to be the dark horse for the title with two-time champion Jean-Eric Vergne and multiple race winner Maximilian Günther.
AJ: Looking at the Nick Cassidy-Mitch Evans Jaguar line up - I’m inclined to agree with Topher. Two of the protagonists from the 23-24 season will almost certainly be challenging for wins this season and that should propel them toward the top of the standings.
For something different, I’d be watching the NEOM McLaren duo of Sam Bird and Taylor Barnard for a title fight with the Jags.
Rookie of the year
TS: There are only two official rookies on the grid in Season 11, by the proper definition of the term. Starting two or fewer races is the criteria, which leaves David Beckmann and Zane Maloney. Lola Yamaha, running Maloney, is an unknown in Formula E as the team enters its first campaign, while Kiro Race Co with Beckmann will use Porsche powertrains. Judging by who potentially has the best machinery, I expect Beckmann to come out on top in this duel.
AJ: Had Taylor Barnard not debuted with McLaren last season he’d have been nailed on for this honour, however his appearances for the papaya team have ruled him out, so I’m going to choose Zane Maloney. Having watched the Bajan wonder from F3 and through F2 with both Red Bull and Sauber backing there’s clear evidence of the speed he possesses - there are questions over his qualifying pace and consistency but he’s certainly one to watch.
First-time race winners?
TS: Formula E is one of those wonderful championships where the lack of disparity between powertrains makes for close racing and in some cases allows whoever drives best on the day to win the race (as racing should be), so this is a bit of an open-ended prediction. My choices though: Nico Müller with Andretti and Dan Ticktum with Kiro Race Co.
AJ: TAYLOR. BARNARD. I fully expect the Brit to perform almost from the jump for NEOM McLaren, as when I’ve watched him in other series’ he's been comfortable and quick. I expect the same. If the Lola car is quick, I’d have one eye on Maloney too for a rookie win.
Surprise of the year
TS: Kiro Race Co is a new team in Formula E having taken over ERT's entry, but immediately looked competitive in testing with Porsche powertrains helping Beckmann to the fastest time on the third day at Jarama. Essentially the team that started life as China Racing in Season 1, and took Nelson Piquet Jr to the title, this could be the year that the squad hits the front again after years of pain near the back.
AJ:I feel as though by choosing Barnard as a race winner I may have covered this but I can use this to further aid my case and backing of the young Brit. He’s one to watch for sure this season - and has been a winner in each of the last two seasons in two different FIA series’, this would be quite the hattrick if he could pull it off.
Disappointment of the year
TS: It's never nice to predict disappointments but as in any sport someone has to finish last. However, given the nature of the championship, this is the most difficult to predict. All things considered, I expect another difficult season for the Mahindra team despite the force of its driver line-up, former champion Nyck de Vries and former vice-champion Edoardo Mortara.
AJ: For me, it’ll be Kiro Race Co. New teams come with a lot expectation in any series, but taking over from ERT - who themselves were underwhelming at best - Kiro already have a lot of pressure and despite the experience Dan Ticktum now has, he’s not exactly set the world alight at any point.
Newbie David Beckmann is quick, but inexperienced, so it’s hard to predict how he’ll do. He might may have the pace, but will he have the car?
Image credit: Formula E
Comments