Formula E is gearing up for a thrilling new chapter with the arrival of the Gen4 era, and the championship is already plotting a race format shake-up that could redefine how fans experience electric racing. Following key discussions at Circuit Paul Ricard, the FIA is putting the finishing touches on regulations for the 2026-27 season, and the buzz is all about striking the perfect balance between raw speed and smart energy management.

Let's face it—the current Gen3 cars have delivered some of the most unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat racing in motorsport. Pack-style battles and last-lap drama have become the norm, making Formula E a fan favorite for its close-quarters action. But with the Gen4 machine set to debut later this year, everything changes. This next-gen beast is packing over 800bhp and will lap faster than current Formula 2 cars—a serious step up in performance that demands a fresh approach to race structure.

So, what's on the table? Formula E wants to showcase the Gen4 car's blistering pace, but it also knows that energy management is the DNA of the series. That's where the format shake-up comes in. Instead of the current double-header weekends where Saturday and Sunday races feel almost identical—save for a few tweaks like Pit Boost or Attack Mode allocations—the Gen4 era could introduce a much bigger split between the two races.

Imagine this: one race could be a flat-out, no-holds-barred sprint focused purely on performance, while the other might test drivers' energy-saving skills to the limit. It's a concept that could turn each race weekend into a mini-championship of its own, blending the raw thrill of speed with the strategic chess match that defines Formula E.

FIA's head of Formula E, Pablo Martino, confirmed the discussions are heating up. "Gen4 opens a bunch of possibilities for different race scenarios," he explained. "Currently, there's a percentage of lift-off drivers must do to conserve energy and reach the chequered flag. If you shorten the race but give them the same energy, that percentage drops significantly, and you get a much more traditional race where everyone goes flat-out."

For fans, this could mean the best of both worlds: pure adrenaline on one day and a masterclass in efficiency on the next. And for drivers, it's a whole new challenge—adapting their style to suit the demands of each race. As the Gen4 car promises to be faster, more powerful, and more capable than ever, Formula E is making sure the format keeps pace with the technology. Stay tuned—this is shaping up to be the most exciting chapter yet in electric racing.