Image: from SoyMotor.com X @SoyMotor
BAHRAIN — In a surprising development that suggests the traditional walls between internal combustion and electric racing are thinning, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has revealed that several current Formula 1 drivers have reached out to request private test sessions in the upcoming Gen4 car.
The news comes as the F1 paddock remains embroiled in a heated debate over its own 2026 technical regulations, which will see grand prix cars adopt a 50/50 split between electric and internal combustion power, a move some drivers have criticized as “anti-racing.”
The Secret Inquiries
Speaking in an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, Dodds confirmed that while the public conversation has focused on Max Verstappen’s critiques of the new F1 rules, other high-profile drivers have been making more discreet moves behind the scenes.
“Since the Gen4 has been on track in testing, I’ve actually had, and I would never say who they were, conversations with F1 drivers asking, ‘Can I have a go privately? I’d love to have a go,'” Dodds revealed.
The interest from the F1 elite underscores a growing curiosity about the significant performance leap represented by the Gen4 era. Set to debut in Season 13 (late 2026), the new car will feature permanent four-wheel drive and a staggering 600kW of power (approximately 815 bhp), with top speeds already exceeding 210 mph (338 km/h) in early testing.
“Formula E on Steroids”
The surge in interest follows recent comments from reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who described the 2026 F1 cars as “Formula E on steroids” during pre-season testing in Bahrain. Verstappen expressed frustration that the new F1 regulations force drivers to focus more on energy management and “lifting and coasting” than on pure, limit-pushing racing.
Dodds has since extended a formal “anywhere, anytime” invitation to Verstappen to test the Gen4 car, promising a private session with “no cameras and no media.”
“My invitation to Max, and to any F1 driver, is a completely open one,” Dodds said. “If they want a glimpse of where this sport is going, you go and sit in that Gen4 car. It is a massive step forward. The lap times will be between Formula 2 and F1, but beyond Gen4? I believe it will be as fast as, or faster than, Formula 1.”
A Convergence of Disciplines
The growing overlap between the two series is already visible in the garages. Currently, six Formula E drivers hold testing or development roles with F1 teams, helping them navigate the complex energy-recovery strategies that will become central to F1 in 2026.
As F1 drivers look for ways to adapt to a more electrified future, the Gen4 Formula E car appears to have transformed from a rival curiosity into a vital high-performance benchmark for those wanting to stay ahead of the technical curve.