FE finalizes Season 12 schedule; announces rule changes

Formula E has confirmed its calendar for the upcoming season, along with a number of rule changes following the latest FIA World Motorsport Council Meeting.

When Formula E initially announced its Season 12 calendar back in June, it had two TBC spots. One of those has now been confirmed as Sanya in China (on June 20), marking a return to the city that last featured on the Formula E calendar in Season 5 (2018-19), while the other has been scrubbed from the schedule entirely.

It had been anticipated that the second TBC would also be a race in Asia – Jakarta in Indonesia returned to the calendar last season after a one-year break – but is again missing after the conclusion of its previous agreement and a new one not being able to be reached within the appropriate timeline. Nevertheless, the door has been left open for a return there in future.

“As with last year and previous editions of the Jakarta E-Prix, we have worked closely with the Jakarta government,” said a Formula E spokesperson. “The 2025 race was the final event under our current agreement, and although we reached an understanding to extend into Season 12 and beyond, the confirmation process did not meet the timelines necessary for announcement. That said, the door remains open for Formula E to return to Jakarta in the future.”

Additionally, the Rookie Test, which has been held in Berlin for the last three seasons will be held at Circuito Del Jarama just outside Madrid – which is debuting as a race venue after successfully hosting pre-season testing last year – this season, while the Rookie Free Practice session will move from Saudi Arabia to Miami.

Sanya was last on the schedule in 2019. Sam Bloxham/Getty Images

Away from calendar confirmations, the FIA has confirmed that qualifying sessions will be condensed to ramp up intensity and improve viewer experience, with Group stages being cut from 12 minutes to 10, while recovery time between each respective Knockout stage in the head-to-head Duels has also been shortened.

Attack Mode has also been changed, with races featuring Pit Boost fast charging pit stops – the first race of a double-header weekend – now featuring just one Attack Mode use rather than the customary two to "maintain competitive and unpredictable racing", while the obligation to fulfill the complete Attack Mode time has now been removed altogether, eliminating the prospect of drivers being penalized for not using their full Attack Mode allocation in the event of a late race safety car or red flag.

One final change that has been announced is the removal of maternity and paternity pay from cost caps, reinforcing Formula E's commitment to equality and inclusion.

"Season 12 marks another important evolution for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – from the return to Sanya strengthening our presence in China, to sporting and financial regulation updates that enhance competition and reinforce our commitment to inclusion and equality,” said Alberto Longo, co-founder and chief championship officer at Formula E. “The introduction of maternity and parental pay exclusions from the cost cap is a milestone for Formula E, ensuring that teams can fully support their people through key life moments without compromise. 

“At the same time, updates to our sporting format and the continued expansion of our calendar reflect Formula E’s mission to deliver the most exciting, progressive racing season yet.”