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All 20 drivers on the current Formula E grid have taken the extraordinary step of writing directly to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, setting out a series of grievances about stewarding, race direction and the application of sporting regulations in the all-electric world championship.
The letter, sent on March 11 by drivers’ group representatives Lucas di Grassi and reigning champion Oliver Rowland, represents a rare and unified intervention from the entire field. Its contents reveal long-standing frustrations that, from the drivers’ perspective, have been simmering beneath the surface for some time.
In the letter, the drivers acknowledge progress in several operational areas. They state that they "see a lot of effort and improvement year over year with the local ASNs, marshalling, safety, track conditions, technical fairness and general protocols".
However, the tone quickly shifts. The signatories go on to "formally express our shared and growing concern regarding the current standard, consistency, and procedural coherence of stewarding and race direction within the championship".
Central to their complaints are:
The letter includes a pointed request for an "internal evaluation" of FIA Formula E race director Marek Hanaczewski’s understanding and reasoning of the sporting rules. It adds that "without the capacity – and humility – to acknowledge and learn from mistakes, there is little evidence of continuous improvement".
Beyond criticism, the drivers propose structural changes. Among their requests are:
The thrust of the message is clear: the drivers want greater consistency, transparency and championship-specific expertise in the officiating of Formula E.
FIA president Ben Sulayem is scheduled to attend this week’s race at Jarama — a rare appearance at a Formula E event — adding further weight to the timing of the letter.
In a statement, an FIA spokesperson said the governing body is "in regular correspondence with ABB FIA Formula E World Championship manufacturers, teams and drivers on a variety of topics" and that it is reviewing the comments raised. The statement added that the FIA will continue its "proactive approach to develop and invest in this championship, ensuring the highest standards are maintained".
Formula E Operations declined to comment.
If the letter shocked the FIA, it also blindsided many of the drivers’ own employers.
Team principals were reportedly unaware of the communication until after it had been sent. While one boss had been aware it was a possibility, most only discovered its existence more than 24 hours after delivery.
The fallout could be significant. At least two teams are understood to be considering withholding bonus payments this month, while others are deliberating potential fines. The Formula E Teams and Manufacturers (FETAMA) group has reportedly contacted the FIA to distance the teams from the drivers’ actions.
None of the 10 team principals were willing to comment on the record. However, one senior team figure expressed sympathy for the FIA and Hanaczewski.
"I think Marek has done a decent job," he said anonymously. "He works with the teams and gets feedback from the drivers. So I'm not sure it [the letter] was fully justified."
The unity of all 20 drivers underscores the depth of feeling in the paddock. According to what has been learned, they chose to act because they felt unheard internally for an extended period.
By writing directly to the FIA president, they have effectively challenged the professional capability of key elements of race control and stewarding within the championship. It is a high-stakes move, particularly given the contractual obligations drivers have with their teams.
Comparisons have been drawn with Formula 1’s infamous 1982 Kyalami strike, though a similar escalation appears unlikely. Modern contracts are more detailed, and there is currently no indication of collective action beyond the letter itself.
A more probable outcome is that the grievances will be reviewed but potentially slowed or diluted, especially where they would require fundamental long-term restructuring.
The discontent is not solely about individual decisions. Drivers have long voiced concern — often privately — that some officials lack a deep understanding of the unique racing style in Formula E, particularly energy-saving strategies that can contribute to on-track flashpoints.
The majority of drivers held deep respect for former race director Scot Elkins, who presided over most E-Prix events since the championship’s creation in 2014. They felt he clearly understood the nuances of driving Formula E cars.
Hanaczewski, who began working at the FIA in 2017 and succeeded Elkins after serving alongside him, has been proactive in certain areas. He introduced a new driving guidelines manual at the start of the current season. The FIA has also implemented a new out-of-competition stewards panel for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, headed by Achim Loth, who attends all E-Prix events and has extensive international motorsport experience.
Driver advisors have included former racers such as Paul Belmondo, Pedro Lamy, Enrique Bernoldi and Johnny Unser. However, none had driven a Formula E car or competed internationally for several years, which concerned drivers after particular decisions.
One recent development has been the appointment of Alexander Sims — a former BMW Andretti and Mahindra driver — to a stewarding advisory role starting at the inaugural Tokyo E-Prix in March 2024. He has appeared several times since. Still, the lack of consistently Formula E-experienced driver advisors remains a central objection from the drivers.
While the FIA is unlikely to welcome the public nature of the dispute, the unified stance of the entire grid makes the issue impossible to ignore.
Whether this episode becomes a defining moment for Formula E governance or fades into procedural review remains uncertain. What is clear is that the drivers have collectively drawn a line — demanding higher standards, clearer logic and a stewarding framework that they believe truly reflects the complexities of racing in Formula E.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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