Formula E has spent the past two seasons trying to implement PIT BOOST (previously called Attack Charge) in their races. After several successful test sessions in the past months, the series will see the return of mandatory pit stops for the first time since Season 4 in a select few races. 

What is PIT BOOST?

PIT BOOST will be a mid-race feature that provides the cars with a 10% energy increase. This will be done through a 30-second, 600kW energy boost in the pits. Alongside Attack Mode, this will add another strategic element to selected races. Teams will receive the race information 21 days before each race, including the PIT BOOST window. For example during the 2025 Jeddah E-Prix, PIT BOOST must be taken between 60% & 40% Battery Charge for the race. The minimum pitstop time will be 34 seconds.

Nissan performing a PIT BOOST stop (Photo via Formula E)

For the 2024-25 season, Formula E will only implement the new feature during each of the doubleheader races. We will see it in Jeddah, Monaco, Shanghai, Berlin, and London. On Friday in Jeddah, during the first race, we will see the implementation of PIT BOOST for the first time.

How will it change the races?

As mentioned, the last time Formula E saw mandatory pit stops was in Season 4 during the Gen1 Era. Drivers were forced to swap their cars mid-race as they did not last the entire race distance. With the introduction of Gen2, this was no longer necessary as cars could reach full distance. The Gen1 Era saw some excellent moments of chaos as all cars descended into the pits. Formula E loves chaos, and we’re bound to see more of it with the implementation of this new feature.

André Lotterer’s pit stop during Season 4 in New York (Photo via Formula E)

Drivers and teams must balance the benefits of the energy boost against the risk of losing track position. Teams can only pit one driver at a time, which means teams cannot double stack. This will cause a split strategy across the grid, which may decide the difference between a good finish and not. A Safety Car after part of the grid has already stopped, for example, may mean a free stop for those who haven’t yet.

Another thing that might be vital to the race’s outcome is that the driver will have to park their car perfectly in the designated space during their stop. No part of the tire can contact the patch outside the white lines. This will be monitored, and infringements will be reported to the stewards, which may lead to penalties.