The FIA and Formula E are unlikely to introduce the ‘attack charge’ pitstops that provide an energy boost during the 2024 season. This decision comes after encountering problems during the first race of the season in Mexico City. The fast-charging technology, managed by the Fortescue WAE company, has not been utilized on-track in recent events in Tokyo and Misano. Originally, the plan was to use the chargers during the race at Misano. However, with the frequent races scheduled from Sao Paulo to Portland, there are limited opportunities for further testing outside of the E-Prixs. FIA circuit sport director Marek Nawarecki stated that the development of the attack charge will now take place away from races. Formula E Operations, the promoter of Formula E, still supports the idea of using the attack charge to increase energy in the cars and enhance the sporting options. However, Nawarecki mentioned that the implementation of this new feature will not occur until it is fully validated and does not pose any technical risks. Teams and drivers are concerned about the impact of using a technology that is not fully developed during races, and the FIA acknowledges these concerns. Nawarecki emphasized that the implementation of the attack charge will not be forced and will require appropriate timing. The overall learning from the attack charge project will inform future strategies on technology implementation in Formula E, with a focus on adapting the project timeframe to allow more time for preparation and validation. WAE faced challenges in developing its RESS battery design for the Gen3 version of Formula E, which led to delays in the reliability and performance testing of the fast-charging boosters. The responsibility for these challenges lies with the supplier, manufacturers, promotions, and teams, and efforts are being made to improve the approach for future projects.
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