Practice, also known as Free Practice, is an important element of an E-Prix weekend, held prior to qualifying for each race. Used to set cars up to a circuit for each round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Practice can be used to test setups, test new drivers and for teams to familiarise themselves to a physical circuit after preparing for the race on simulators.
Rules and Regulations[]
Between the 2014/15 and 2023/24 season each Free Practice session was limited to 30 minutes in length, although from the 2024/25 season this was increased to 40 minutes.[1] For weekends with just one race, the FIA and Formula E would organise two Free Practice sessions, usually in the morning before qualifying, while double header race weekends would feature a third Free Practice session, held before qualifying for the second race.[1] It was also mandated that a driver who wished to take part in the E-Prix must feature in at least one Free Practice session for that race weekend.[1]
During the session drivers and teams are able to change suspension setups, tyre pressures and bodywork as well as adapt minor elements of software ahead of the race, with no Parc Fermé rules active during or after the session.[1] Likewise, the Race Director can intervene at any point during the session to test elements such as Safety Car and Full Course Yellow procedures, and can stop the session completely with a red flag if there is an accident or stranded car on circuit.[1] In the event that the Free Practice session is halted by a red flag, the clock is not stopped for the session meaning any remaining run time is lost.[1]
Use of Attack Mode, which from Season 11 would include a 4WD mode introduced with the Gen 3 Evo ruleset, was unrestricted, although teams could not exceed the maximum power output of 350 kW at any point during the session.[1] Teams would also have to use a set of tyres from their quota of tyres for the weekend for Free Practice, and would not receive a replacement tyre unless it was an exceptional circumstance that would prevent the car from running in the E-Prix.[1] Further, teams were also limited to the same restrictions on the number of parts they could use for the season in Free Practice, meaning if a driver required a change of motor for the Free Practice session that took them over the limit for that part (as of 2024/25 - 2) then they would serve a grid penalty for the E-Prix.[1]
At the end of each session drivers are permitted to complete a practice start on the grid, although this may only be done once per-session and afterward the driver must return to the pitlane.[1]
Sporting Rules[]
In terms of sporting rules any infractions such as speeding in the pitlane or misconduct on the circuit would be penalised with a grid penalty, or if the infraction was severe enough, could result in a driver being excluded from the race.[1]
Types of Session[]
There are three types of Free Practice Session that are used in the FIA Formula E Championship:
Free Practice[]
Free Practice is the most typical format for an FE practice session, and features all of the rules above.[1]
Shakedown/FP0[]
Ahead of each E-Prix the race organisers are free to stage a shakedown session, which was intended to allow teams to ensure that their cars were functioning correctly after being rebuilt ahead of the race weekend.[1] Also known as FP0, the session would be run in either two formats: one with each car running to Safety Car rules with a specific time delta; or alternately a 15 minute session with each driver restricted to three laps and power limited to 110 kW to the rear powertrain.[1]
Rookie Free Practice[]
At a select round of each season the series will add an additional session intended to allow teams to run a rookie driver in an FE Championship car, which was otherwise run to the rules for a normal Free Practice session.[1] In order to drive in a Rookie Free Practice Session a driver must not have competed in an E-Prix before, nor feature on the official entry list for the series.[1]
Rounds that have featured a Rookie Free Practice Session include:
References[]
Images and Videos:
References:
| 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 |