Skip to content 
The Formula E Miami E-Prix offered a thrilling showcase of cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) racing, marked by evolving strategies, real-time technical adaptations, and next-gen innovations. In this breakdown, Munro & Associates goes trackside with Sandy Munro and leading figures from Jaguar TCS Racing and Dow to explore how tire compounds, regenerative braking, and material science shape this rapidly evolving sport. Our expert Formula E race analysis reveals more than fast laps—it highlights the engineering decisions behind the scenes that could influence EVs on the road tomorrow.
One-Day Race Format: The Pressure Cooker of Formula E
Unlike Formula 1, where race weekends stretch across multiple days, Formula E compresses all the action—practice, qualifying, and the main event—into a single day. According to Richard Paugh of 1440 Sports, this format ramps up pressure on teams to interpret track data and adjust setups in real time. The intensity of this schedule demands precision, speed, and deep systems understanding.
Jaguar, the reigning world champion team, faced a tough start with drivers qualifying 13th and 15th. Penalties might bump them forward slightly, but their lower grid position reflects broader challenges, not a lack of performance.
Braking and Tire Challenges at the Miami Chicane
Miami’s track layout offered a mix of high-speed stretches and brutal deceleration zones, particularly the chicane that dominated much of the conversation. Several drivers missed braking points, leading to speculation about software tweaks impacting brake performance. According to Sandy Munro, last-minute changes to such critical systems would be unnerving for any racer.
One issue might be linked to the Hankook tires—a harder compound not beloved by drivers. On a cold track, hard tires struggle to reach their optimal operating window. As the day warmed up, conditions improved, suggesting that morning struggles may have reflected environmental variables as much as setup missteps.
Adding to the difficulty was the presence of marbles—bits of rubber debris that reduce grip—causing unsettling sounds that mimicked gear failure to seasoned ears like Sandy’s.
The EV Fan Experience: Quiet Cars, Loud Engagement
A unique feature of Formula E is its low-noise profile. Without the roar of internal combustion engines, attendees can converse trackside—even during racing. While this quietness is off-putting to some fans used to visceral noise, it offers new ways to engage. Kids, especially, benefit from the accessibility and reduced sensory overload.
The Miami E-Prix also featured a bustling E-Village, complete with simulators, merchandise, and interactive tech demos. Dow hosted 65 clients at the event, demonstrating the growing role of electric racing as a corporate engagement platform.
Tech Talk: Jaguar’s Gen3 Evo Strategy and Dow’s Role
Jaguar’s Jack Lambert and Dow’s Jennifer Kemp offered a deep dive into the technical and material innovations that power Formula E.
Dow, the team’s material science partner since 2021, supplies high-performance materials—ranging from silicones to polyethylenes—designed to push the limits of thermal management, weight reduction, and durability. Their collaboration exemplifies the sport’s “track-to-road” mission, where racing serves as a proving ground for future road cars.
Jaguar’s Gen3 Evo car now features dual powertrains—rear and front—enabling full all-wheel-drive regeneration. The front motor is used solely for energy recovery, enabling the car to reclaim roughly 40% of its race energy through regenerative braking. With only 60% of total race energy provided by the initial charge, energy strategy becomes pivotal to race outcomes.
Attack Mode and Energy Budgeting
Attack mode, a signature feature of Formula E, allows drivers to temporarily boost power from 300 to 350 kW. To activate it, a driver must veer off the racing line and drive over three transponder loops while pressing a button on the steering wheel. This maneuver sacrifices about a second—a significant penalty in a series where qualifying laps hover around 1:25.
Yet the reward is high: enhanced overtaking capability and a temporary transition to nearly 500 horsepower. It’s a gamble that teams must calculate precisely, balancing power bursts against long-term efficiency.
Powertrain Efficiency: Every Fraction Counts
Lambert broke down how Jaguar optimizes powertrain efficiency, a multi-stage process from inverter to motor to gearbox:
- Inverter – Converts battery’s DC output to AC for the motor.
- Motor – Transforms electric current into mechanical motion via magnetism.
- Gearbox – Adjusts output for optimal torque and speed delivery to the wheels.
Each component must operate within tight efficiency margins. Even fractions of a percent matter when trying to extract maximum energy from a fixed battery pack.
Peloton Racing: Drafting for EV Efficiency
In an open-circuit race like Miami’s, teams exploit the peloton effect—drafting behind other cars to reduce aerodynamic drag and conserve energy. Starting in the middle of the pack can be strategic, allowing drivers to save power and execute decisive moves later. Jaguar hopes to capitalize on this dynamic to overcome its mid-grid start.
Formula E’s Future: Gen4 and Beyond
By 2027, Formula E will enter its Gen4 era, featuring 600 kW powertrains and completely regenerative braking—eliminating mechanical brake discs altogether. The implications go beyond racing. Brake disc wear contributes to urban air pollution, so removing them entirely represents a leap forward for both sustainability and city mobility design.
The switch to faster charging and slightly larger batteries in 2025 will further blur the line between race and road, enabling real-world applications of race-developed tech in urban EVs.
Takeaways: Why Formula E Matters
- Material Innovation: Dow’s collaboration with Jaguar shows how racing accelerates development of lightweight, durable, and efficient EV materials.
- Regeneration Mastery: With 40% of race energy coming from regenerative braking, Formula E emphasizes energy strategy as much as speed.
- Efficiency Is King: From inverters to gearboxes, every component in the drivetrain plays a critical role in maximizing performance.
- Quiet Revolution: Reduced noise makes Formula E uniquely suited for younger fans and urban circuits—without sacrificing speed or intensity.
- Sustainable Vision: Gen4’s move to full regeneration and 600 kW motors signals a powerful future for electric mobility.
Team Up With Munro!
Check out Munro & Associates for exclusive teardown insights and EV engineering breakdowns. Whether you’re designing the next EV platform or investing in electric mobility, our hands-on analysis delivers the edge you need. Power your decisions with precision.