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Formula E’s Bold Goodwood Mission to Break F1 Record
Highlights
- Dan Ticktum drove Formula E Gen4 car at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
- Ticktum’s best time was 42.4 seconds, near Heidfeld’s 41.6 seconds.
- Formula E aims to beat Formula 1 Monaco lap by one second.
- Gen4 car expected to reach full potential by 2027 season.
- Goodwood showcased Gen4 car’s power and acceleration improvements.
- Ticktum praised Bridgestone slick tires for grip and development.
Formula E used a measured showcase at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend, where Dan Ticktum’s Gen4 run of 42.4 seconds shadowed Nick Heidfeld’s 41.6s hill record.
The Gen4 package remains early in development, with its intended performance window arriving for the 2027 season, when the specification stabilizes.
That context matters given Formula 1’s superior budgets and aerodynamic resource. Even so, Goodwood offered a credible read on powertrain gains, drivability, and deployment strategy under short-run pressure.
Chairman Alejandro Agag amplified the ambition, suggesting Monaco’s fastest lap sits at 1m09s and targeting 1m08s for Gen4. The claim lacks firm timelines but underlines Formula E’s intent.
Ticktum clocks 42.4s at Goodwood, 0.8s off Heidfeld’s 1999 benchmark.
Ticktum’s build-up included a discreet run at Ales-Cevennes. He adapted quickly, validating baseline software maps and traction settings for Goodwood’s unique, low-grip surface.
Saturday yielded 43.87s after dust compromised one sector. The run highlighted sensitivity to track evolution and the importance of tyre preparation for a single-attack attempt.
An untimed Sunday pass delivered 42.2s before a shootout against Romain Dumas in the Ford Super Mustang Mach‑E. The Mach‑E edged it by roughly half a second after heavier development.
Agag targets a 1:08 Monaco lap for Gen4, a second quicker than F1’s best.
Ticktum estimated the package remained about three seconds shy of Heidfeld’s benchmark. He cited dust levels and tyre life, expecting meaningful gains with a cleaner surface and fresh rubber.
The Gen4 produces roughly 940–950hp and weighs around 1,000kg. Monaco simulations indicate speeds beyond Formula 2 and perhaps within eight to nine seconds of current Formula 1.
Gen4 delivers approximately 950hp at around 1000kg, transforming Formula E’s performance ceiling.
Bridgestone’s slick prototype impressed for grip and consistency at Goodwood. A similar construction could feature on a Gen4 Evo, influenced by series objectives and race format constraints and energy targets.
Ticktum is a logical pick for this brief. He embraces power, communicates clearly, and brings profile, even while sitting 16th, 30 points behind teammate Pepe Martí.
The messaging from Goodwood is deliberate. Development continues through 2026 towards a fuller rollout aligned with Formula E’s season calendar and key events like the Shanghai E‑Prix schedule, which frame competitive milestones.
Visual Summary
ELECTRIC CHALLENGE: Formula E vs Heidfeld’s F1 Hill Record
0.6 seconds off the target — and closing in fast
F1
Gen4
Dan Ticktum (Gen4) — 42.2s | Nick Heidfeld (F1) — 41.6s
(Untimed: Gen4 42.2s | Timed: Gen4 43.87s, Ford Mach-E 41.7s)
Formula E’s Gen4 car nearly matches a 25-year-old F1 record at Goodwood — and bigger goals await.
Next up: Monaco — aiming within 8-9 seconds of modern F1.
Next up: Monaco — aiming within 8-9 seconds of modern F1.
Gen4 Power:
940–950hp | ~1,000kg (Bridgestone slicks)
940–950hp | ~1,000kg (Bridgestone slicks)
Zane Muniz writes across NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, IMSA, NHRA, and dirt-racing news. His breaking-news alerts and event previews ensure motorsport fans never miss a lap, drift, or drag-strip showdown.
