Formula E Season Kicks off in São Paulo, Brazil on December 7

Formula E, the pioneering all-electric racing series, has been an FIA World Championship since 2020, though it debuted on the motorsport scene in 2014. Over the years, its calendar has expanded significantly, featuring thrilling street races in dynamic urban locations like Tokyo, Berlin, Jakarta, and London. Formula E returns to the streets of São Paulo, Brazil, to kick off Season 11 on December 7, 2024.

The series showcases some of the most iconic names in motorsport, including Andretti and McLaren, competing at the cutting edge of electric vehicle technology. In the 2023/2024 season, former F1 driver Pascal Wehrlein claimed the championship title, driving for Porsche and cementing the team’s place in Formula E history.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship comprises a series of races, known as e-Prix, held in various countries and continents. These events predominantly take place on temporary street circuits designed for Formula E on closed public roads in the heart of major cities. However, some races occur on permanent circuits, such as the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. The championship determines two annual titles: one for drivers and another for constructors (teams), based on a points system. All drivers are required to hold a valid FIA-issued e-Licence to compete.

Formula E cars are recognized as the fastest regulated electric road-course racing vehicles globally. The introduction of the Gen3 car in the 2022–23 season brought significant advancements, implemented through software updates to the car’s advanced operating system. With a top speed of approximately 322 km/h (200 mph), the Gen3 car also supports flash-charging technology, capable of delivering up to 600 kW, allowing for recharging during pit stops—a first for the series. Additionally, the Gen3 car features a reduced wheelbase (2970 mm from 3100 mm) and weighs 760 kg, further enhancing its performance and agility.

Kiro Race Co joins forces with CUPRA in Formula E

Kiro Race Co (“Kiro”), the latest entrant in the FIA Formula E World Championship, has unveiled a multi-year partnership with CUPRA, making the Spanish automaker its official Co-Title Partner. The team, now named CUPRA KIRO, will debut at the São Paulo E-Prix on December 7, marking the start of an exciting chapter in Formula E.

CUPRA KIRO will leverage Porsche Motorsport’s twice world championship-winning technology, with Dan Ticktum and David Beckmann as its drivers. The partnership aligns with CUPRA’s reputation as an unconventional and electrification-focused brand. Since its launch in 2018, CUPRA, the Volkswagen Group’s first new automotive brand, has sold over 750,000 vehicles and achieved notable success in motorsport, including the development of the world’s first 100% electric touring car, the e-Racer, and victories in Extreme E and the FIA ETCR series.

Jeremy Tarica, Managing Director, The Forest Road Company, said: “Welcoming CUPRA, a disruptive automotive brand, as our Co-Title Partner as part of a multi-year collaboration represents an incredible milestone for Kiro, especially at such an early stage in our Formula E journey. Our partnership starts in motorsport, but it extends far beyond it – it’s united by a shared belief in the desire to challenge the status quo by disrupting and leading change in our respective fields. We will start our new chapter together as CUPRA KIRO at this weekend’s São Paulo E-Prix, and I can’t begin to express my excitement on behalf of The Forest Road Company.”

CUPRA KIRO’s entry comes at a time when Formula E continues to grow as the fastest-expanding motorsport and the first sport to achieve a certified net-zero carbon footprint. The 2024/25 season promises a thrilling global calendar, with races in iconic cities like Monaco, Tokyo, and London, alongside new locations such as Jeddah and Miami.

The São Paulo E-Prix will showcase CUPRA KIRO’s single-round livery before the team debuts a bold new visual identity at the Mexico City E-Prix in January 2025. Under the ownership of The Forest Road Company, CUPRA KIRO aims to forge impactful partnerships and elevate brand presence within Formula E and beyond.

Xavi Serra, Global Head of Racing, CUPRA, said: “Joining Kiro Race Co is the logical next step for CUPRA. By combining our technical know-how with the team, we are fully prepared to compete at the highest level. Our commitment to Formula E comes from our racing DNA, alongside the format’s ability to give us a competitive platform to develop the future of electric road cars.”

With its innovative approach and commitment to electrification, CUPRA KIRO is set to make a significant impact on the Formula E grid in Season 11 and beyond.