We know F1 is far more popular than Formula E, but looks like Formula E, will be up there in the near future.
However, they may both run on four wheels, but F1 and Formula E are not just two racing series, they represent two visions of the future.
So how do they really compare?
Let’s explore, not just the specs and lap times, but the philosophy that sets them apart.
Two very different starting lines
F1 is already 75 years with us, officially kinking off in 1950, it is long been the global summit of motorsport.
Manufacturers like Ferrari, Mercedes or McLaren, pour in hunderds of millions per year to chase fractions of a second.
On the other hand, Formula E, by contrast is very young, born in 2014, with a single mission, to show the world that fast, thrilling racing can run on clear energy.
Rather than roaring circuits like Monza, Formula E took to the streets like Paris, London and Rome.
Engines? No. Powertrains.
Here’s where the fundamental DNA split happens.
In F1 the cars are powered with V6 engines 1.6-liter, and they are not ordinary engines.
These things are closer to space tech, combining internal combustion with two types of energy systems (MGU-K and MGU-H), so MGU-H will not be there by 2026, those parts harvest waste heaet and braking power.
The results? Just shy of 1,000HP and an exhaust note that still gives fas goosebumps.
However, in the other hand Formula E does not burn a drop of fuel, it runs purely on battery power.
The current GEN3 cars push up to 350kW in the race mode and hit 400kW in qualifying.
It delivers with the instant torque only electric motors can provide.
With all wheel regeneration capable of reclaiming over 40% of race energy, from braking alone, these cars are built to maximize efficiency without sacrificing spectacle.
F1 wants to burn smarter. Formula E wants to stop burning at all.
Speed is not everything
Sure, fans love stats, so let’s deal with speed.
- F1 top speeds? Around 336 km/h (209 mph) on long straights.
- Formula E? Capped at about 322 km/h (200 mph) — but remember, these are often tight, temporary circuits in city centers.
Now, here’s the twist: acceleration. Formula E’s Gen3 Evo (coming soon) can hit 0–60 mph in 1.82 seconds — that’s quicker than F1 off the line. Why? Electric motors deliver instant torque, and there is no lag.
Still, Formula 1 dominates when it comes to sustained speed, high-downforce cornering, and endurance over long Grand Prix distances. In corners, F1 cars pull up to 6G. Formula E’s street-focused setup doesn’t chase that kind of grip — its cars are more nimble, more strategic, and arguably more chaotic.
Why Formula E cars are smaller but heavier than F1 cars
If you look at their sizes, at first glance, you might expect a smaller race car to be lighter, but with Formula E, that is not the case.
While the GEN3 Formula E cars are shorter, narrower and slightly taller than F1 car, but they actually weight more, so why?
It comes down to one word, Batteries!
Unlike F1 cars that run on turbo-hybrid petrol engines with energy recovery systems, Formula E cars are fully electric. That means they carry a massive lithium-ion battery pack, which alone weighs around 284 kg (or more). That’s almost half the car’s total weight.
F1 cars, on the other hand, use smaller fuel tanks and lightweight carbon-fiber hybrid components, allowing them to hit a minimum weight around 798–800 kg including the driver, with newer regulations aiming to lower that further.
The compact size of Formula E cars is designed for tight street circuits, not wide Grand Prix tracks. But that smaller frame has to carry a heavy load — which is why Formula E cars, despite being over half a meter shorter and 30 cm narrower, still weigh more than an F1 car.
Circuits: Cathedrals vs Cities
F1’s heart beats in circuits like Silverstone, Suzuka, and Spa — permanent racetracks carved out over decades, tailored for top-tier speed and massive fan attendance. A Formula 1 weekend is a global spectacle, sometimes stretching over four days, with detailed telemetry, pit wall commands, and tire strategies unfolding like chess.
Formula E goes the other direction — right into the heart of cities. London, Jakarta, Monaco’s tighter version, and São Paulo have all hosted races. Fans don’t need to travel to the edge of a country — the race comes to them. It’s loud, fast, and right on their doorstep.
Even the track surface changes the story: while F1 races on pristine asphalt, Formula E cars deal with manhole covers, uneven road patches, and low-grip surfaces. That makes every lap unpredictable.
Pit Stops: High Drama vs… Strategy Silence
F1 pit stops are legendary. Teams regularly change four tires in under 2.5 seconds. There’s no refueling — just rubber, reactions, and rehearsed choreography.
Formula E skips the chaos. Each driver runs the race on a single set of tires (Hankook all-weather slicks), and no charging happens during the race, the tactical element comes from energy use.
In other words, Formula E rewards brains over brawn, no tire gambling or pit crew theatrics, but plenty of energy math under pressure.
Budgets – F1 vs Formula E
Now, the money.
- Formula 1 teams operate under a budget cap of roughly $135–140 million, although costs for marketing, salaries, and engines stretch far beyond.
- Formula E? Racing budgets are closer to €13–15 million per team, a fraction of F1, and a big draw for manufacturers looking to go racing without burning money.
But the real game is in sustainability.
Formula E was net zero from day one, running renewable-powered logistics, charging systems, and operations. In 2025, it became the first sport certified on the BSI Net Zero Pathway, setting strict emission reduction targets.
F1, to its credit, has cleaned up fast. Since 2018, the series has cut emissions by 26%, and by 2026 it aims to run fully sustainable synthetic fuel while integrating a 50/50 electric-combustion power split.
So both are serious about climate. Formula E is just ahead of the curve, for now.
The Future? Not One Road, But Two
Formula 1 isn’t trying to become Formula E. Instead, it’s carving a high-performance path through hybrid innovation and cleaner fuel. Formula E isn’t chasing F1’s spectacle either, it’s writing a new rulebook focused on zero-emissions motorsport and city-first racing culture.
They’re not competitors.
They’re answers to different questions.
F1 asks: “How can we make the fastest racing more efficient?”
Formula E asks: “How can racing lead the shift to electric?”
Maybe one day their paths will merge, solid-state batteries, synthetic fuels, active aerodynamics, but for now, the fork in the road is what makes them both fascinating.
