Formula E splits GEN4 weekends between two race formats

Formula E will introduce two distinct race formats in the 2026/27 season, as the championship enters its GEN4 era. The change means double-header weekends will no longer feature identical races: teams will have to adapt their setups and tactics to two different challenges.

The weekend schedule will include two 45-minute free-practice sessions, followed by qualifying. The familiar Duels format will remain in place, but qualifying will carry championship points for drivers who progress through its stages.

E-PrixUnleashed puts the emphasis on speed

The shorter format, called E-PrixUnleashed, will run for 30 minutes with the car in its high-downforce configuration. The added grip is intended to let drivers take corners faster and attempt more overtakes. Its ATTACK MODE window will last six minutes, and there will be no PIT BOOST stop.

The other format, the E-Prix, will last 45 minutes. Cars will use a low-downforce setup to reduce drag and support energy management. Drivers will have eight minutes of ATTACK MODE and must make a PIT BOOST stop.

This longer race is set to feature at every race weekend and will serve as the main event at single-header venues. The new split makes the two formats distinct in both duration and demands on car setup and race strategy. The confirmed GEN4 grid so far is taking shape ahead of the new era, while PIT BOOST’s role in Formula E will become central to the longer race format.

Qualifying points add another championship opportunity

Race points will remain unchanged, with both formats awarding the traditional 25-to-1 scale to the top ten finishers. Qualifying will now offer additional points to drivers reaching the Duels stages, with rewards tied to how far they advance through the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

The qualifying points are four for first, three for second, two each for third and fourth, and one apiece for fifth through eighth. Pole position brings a further point.

With separate race formats and points available in qualifying, the 2027 rules place more weight on performance across the entire weekend—not only the race itself.