Formula E returns to Shanghai as 2025/26 title fight intensifies

Formula E heads back to China

Formula E returns to Shanghai this week for Rounds 12 and 13 of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, continuing a busy Chinese swing after the recent Sanya E-Prix. China remains a significant stop for the championship, having hosted Formula E’s first race in 2014, and Shanghai now takes centre stage for a double-header that could sharpen the competitive picture before the final phase of the season.

The Shanghai International Circuit is hosting Formula E for a third season, with the championship using a shortened 3.051km clockwise version of the venue. Conceived by Hermann Tilke, the circuit’s layout resembles the Chinese character “上” — meaning ‘up above’ — and blends high-speed sections with tighter corners. For Formula E, that combination matters: it should create overtaking opportunities while forcing teams to balance race pace, energy use and track position across two consecutive race days.

PIT BOOST returns for the double-header

After a single-header in Sanya, Shanghai brings back the double-header format, with the first race featuring PIT BOOST. The mandatory mid-race stop gives cars a 30-second, 600kW energy boost in the pit lane, adding 10% energy, or 3.85kWh.

The stop must be taken within a State of Charge window defined by the FIA, usually below 60% and above 40%. That makes timing crucial. Teams can vary their approach depending on how aggressively each driver consumes energy in the opening phase, adding another strategic layer to a weekend already shaped by two races in quick succession.

ATTACK MODE remains available in PIT BOOST races, but its use will change in Season 12, with only one activation per PIT BOOST race and no obligation to use the full allocation before the finish.

GEN4 future takes shape

Since Sanya, the FIA has approved two major developments for Formula E’s next era: the 2026/27 calendar and a revised race weekend format for double-headers. The calendar features 21 races across 13 cities, including new events in Austin, Zandvoort and Brands Hatch, while returning venues include Jeddah, Mexico City, Madrid, São Paulo and Tokyo.

The GEN4 era will introduce a split format: a classic E-Prix and a shorter E-PrixUnleashed race. The new sprint-style event is designed to highlight the unrestricted power of the GEN4 car, underlining the growing attention around Formula E’s next technical chapter, which has already generated wider motorsport intrigue through stories such as Fernando Alonso’s Formula E interest.

Season momentum reaches a critical point

The opening 11 rounds have produced unpredictability and a broad spread of winners. Jake Dennis won the opener in São Paulo and returned to victory in Sanya, adding pole position and maximum points to move fifth in the standings. Nick Cassidy delivered Citroën Racing’s first single-seater win in Mexico City, while Mitch Evans, Pascal Wehrlein, Antonio Felix da Costa, Nico Müller, Nyck de Vries and Oliver Rowland have also stood on the top step.

Shanghai now becomes the next pressure point. With Tokyo and London still to come, this double-header offers not just points, but momentum — and in a season this open, that may prove just as valuable.