Why did Formula E choose Brands Hatch over Silverstone for the new Gen4 era?

Brands Hatch wins race for Formula E’s UK future

Formula E’s move to Brands Hatch reflects a clear conclusion reached early in the Gen4 development cycle: the sinuous London ExCeL layout was becoming too tight to properly showcase the faster, more spectacular car due to arrive at the end of 2026.

The move also fits into Formula E’s wider Gen4 calendar expansion, with Brands Hatch among the key additions detailed in the championship’s record schedule: Formula E reveals record 2026/27 Gen4 calendar with more F1 circuits added.

Palmer sees a chance to unite fanbases

Motorsport Vision Ltd, owner of Brands Hatch, views the project as a two-way opportunity: Formula E gains a traditional racing venue with deep local pull, while Brands can tap into the championship’s established audience.

MSV chief executive Jonathan Palmer told The Race: “What I find particularly exciting and what I am looking forward to is the fact that Formula E have done such a great job over 13 years of its evolution of generating their own distinctive fanbase with this type of leading edge technology.”

Palmer also acknowledged that Formula E has not always overlapped heavily with traditional motor racing crowds. That is precisely why Brands is attractive. He believes regular visitors to the Kent circuit will be intrigued by how the Gen4 cars perform on the Grand Prix layout they know so well.

The ‘Jarama model’ and a modified GP loop

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds is bullish about the move despite Brands Hatch not matching the urban identity of Battersea Park or London ExCeL. He argued that Brands is still close enough to London and offers an amphitheatre-style viewing experience across a challenging circuit.

Dodds compared the opportunity to Jarama, where Formula E generated a strong crowd and atmosphere this season. The intention is to dress Brands Hatch in a way that gives a respected circuit a fresh international platform.

Formula E and Brands Hatch are also working on subtle modifications to the Grand Prix circuit rather than permanent changes. Oli McCrudden, Formula E’s VP of host cities, said three enhancements are being studied, using Gen4 testing data and simulations to define energy management needs, lap times and regeneration zones.

The focus is believed to include areas around Pilgrims Drop, Hawthorns, Westfield and Dingle Dell. McCrudden stressed the aim is not to dilute the circuit, but to add elements that make it better suited to Formula E’s performance profile.