Pit Boost, originally revealed as Attack Charge, is a fast-charging pitstop concept that was introduced to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship during the 2024/25 World Championship.[1] Initially intended to be implemented at the start of the Generation 3 ruleset in 2022/23, various issues with Pit Boost during its development meant its launch was pushed back until the FIA, Formula E and Teams/Manufacturers were content with its reliability.[2]
Concept[]
The idea of Pit Boost was to add pitstops back into the Formula E rulebook, after the end of the Spark-Renault SRT_01E based era in 2017/18 had seen the need for a compulsory pitstop during each E-Prix made redundant.[3] Designed alongside the Generation 3 ruleset, Attack Charge would see fast-charging added to the FE rulebook, with all 22 drivers required to make a 30 second pitstop within a certain window within each E-Prix.[1] The stop would see a 600kW charger used to partially recharge the battery by 4 kWh mid-race to increase the amount of available energy for the driver, and hence add another element of strategy alongside FE's famed Attack Mode concept.[1]
Rules[]
The rules for Pit Boost were finalised with the December edition of the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Sporting Rulebook, which outlined both the in-race use of the boost, and highlighted that it would be restricted to some E-Prix, rather than used in every round.[1]
Sporting[]
The use of Pit Boost at an E-Prix was to be announced at least 21 days before each E-Prix it was to be used in, in order to allow teams time to programme that element into the race simulations.[1] During the race, each driver was to complete a single 30 second pitstop, where the whole 4 kWh charge (or whatever charge amount is determined in advance of the race) must be added to the existing energy level within the battery.[1] Further, the car cannot otherwise be worked on during the charging period, and the car must remain in contact with the ground in order to prevent any earthing of the car other than through the charger itself.[1]
Teams would also only be able to pit one driver at a time when recharging, and if a driver missed the "window" for their Pit Boost charge they would be penalised with a stop-go penalty of a length to be determined ahead of the race weekend.[1]
Technical[]
The Pit Booster was to be provided by Fortescue Zero, with teams facing a £300,000 charge for the equipment which can charge one car at a time.[4] The charger, operating at 600 kW would add 4 kWh of usable energy to the battery across a minimum charging time of 30 seconds, being plugged into the back of the car in the charging slot usually used for normal charging.[4]
History[]
References[]
Images and Videos:
References:
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 '2024-2025 FIA FORMULA E WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTING REGULATIONS', fia.com, (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, 11/12/2024), https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/2024-2025_fia_formula_e_world_championship_-_sporting_regulations_12.12.2024_-_clean.pdf, (Accessed 11/12/2024)
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedACHappy - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedACA - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sam Smith, 'What's deciding the fate of Formula E's now-or-never format revolution', 'the-race.com, (The Race, 01/10/2024), https://www.the-race.com/formula-e/formula-e-attack-charge-team-opposition-plans/, (Accessed 12/12/2024)
| Formula E Race day |
|---|
| Timetable |
| Practice • Qualifying • E-Prix |
| Features |
| Regulations • FanBoost • Attack Mode • Safety Car • Flag System • Pit Boost |
| Supports |
| Roborace • Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy • eVillage |