Formula E will introduce a new support race championship for the second time in its history this season. The championship will feature an all-electric junior touring car series using Mini Coopers. This addition will take place at four events in 2024, starting with Misano in April. The only other time Formula E shared its events with another championship was when the Jaguar I-Pace eTROPHY raced alongside it from 2018-20. While there have been discussions about the Formula G electric single-seater series supporting Formula E events, no concrete plans have been made yet. The NXT Gen Cup, which is the name of the junior touring car series, aims to develop a new generation of all-electric racers. It held its first season last year alongside the Swedish Touring Car Championship and two DTM events. The 2024 season is open to drivers aged 15-25, and the series aims to educate and develop their talents. The season will feature a 20-car field, with both male and female drivers participating. Pending FIA approval, the NXT Gen Cup will join Formula E for all four of its 2024 European rounds, as well as supporting the DTM at two events in July and October. Each round of the championship will consist of two practice sessions, a 20-minute qualifying session, and a 20-minute race. Alberto Longo, Formula E co-founder and chief championship officer, expressed his excitement about the addition of the NXT Gen Cup and its contribution to nurturing young talent in the sport. The Jaguar I-Pace eTROPHY was the only previous official support series for Formula E. However, it struggled to attract entries and was discontinued after its second season. The cars were heavy and had limited track time, which made it less appealing for teams and partners. On the other hand, the NXT Gen Cup has been founded by former endurance racer Fredrik Lestrup and his team. The all-electric cars used in the series are developed and built by Lestrup Racing Team and will be run by individual teams. The LRT NXT1 is based on an electric Mini Cooper SE road car and has a weight of 1150kg. It features a front-wheel drive, 180bhp race car with additional power when push-to-pass features are active. The car is equipped with a 30kWh battery, an 800V system, regenerative braking, adjustable shock absorbers, and Hankook Semi-slick all-weather tires. Charging operations for the cars are handled by ABB E-Mobility, the charging partner of the NXT Gen Cup. Fredrik Lestrup, the founder of the NXT Gen Cup, expressed his amazement at how quickly the championship has progressed and the opportunity it provides for junior drivers to showcase their talents.
According to the Source the-race.com