FE a viable alternative to F1 for open-wheel talent - Fittipaldi

Emerson Fittipaldi believes that Formula E has established itself as a top alternative to Formula 1 for drivers looking to further their careers.

While the F1 field will increase to 11 teams in 2026 with the addition of the GM/Cadillac-backed entry and at least two rookies will join the grid next year, with some drivers’ careers lasting longer, there remains a fundamental bottleneck for young talent. Two-time F1 world champion Fittipaldi feels that Formula E can provide a credible refuge to those drivers -- and those in off-track roles -- that enables their careers to continue progressing.

“I think it's great to have a category like Formula E, because there's so many drivers want to go to Formula 1 but can’t,” he said. “Then you have [WEC] Hypercar [and] Le Mans). Formula E is very nice for the future -- some talents cannot go to Formula 1, why not then have a professional life doing the best they can do for their life and for the sport?”

Fittipaldi said the electric series has firmly established itself among motorsport's elite categories.

“I think it's one of the big series, that's going to be bigger and bigger for the future, with a much faster car, more difficult for the drivers, don't have so much downforce,” said the Brazilian legend. “It's difficult to handle.

“The people that work here [and] vice versa can help. A good guy from Formula 1 can come here to help a team. A good guy from a Formula E team can go to Formula 1, as drivers or team members for sure. It's extremely competitive here.”

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Fittipaldi also suggested that Formula 1's ongoing popularity boom is something that can have a knock-on benefit to other categories and that the constant evolutions to Formula E will only help accelerate that.

“Formula E is going the right direction, a lot of excitement for the future,” he said. “The pit stop in Jeddah [with the] recharge, will be dynamic for the racing. Some luck, some strategy -- you only can stop one car at a time. It's going to create some problems for the team managers, the drivers.

“And I think motor racing globally is going to grow -- from karting, all the categories. With Netflix, everything that's happening now, Lewis [Hamilton] driving for Ferrari -- I live in Italy now, Italy is going to stop to watch Lewis Hamilton drive the Ferrari! I think Formula E has followed this big growing of motorsport globally and a lot of young drivers [are coming]. There's a new motivation globally.

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“The '26 Formula E car is going to be much faster. That's going to be faster than the Formula 2 car in Monaco -- very exciting. If you look at the car going by on the straight, it’s very impressive, the speed that they go.

"Formula E, with no telemetry, the driver has to give information, has to feel the car in the ass. Motor racing is sport and science, but Formula E is trying to keep sport more evident for the drivers. They have very good drivers -- if they don't perform, [they’re] out. It's not that the father is very wealthy.”