All 20 drivers on the Formula E grid have taken the extraordinary step of signing a joint letter to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, voicing deep concerns about the governance of their championship. The coordinated move, as reported by The Race, sent on 11 March by Lucas di Grassi and reigning champion Oliver Rowland, highlights growing frustration over stewarding, race direction and regulatory consistency.
The letter arrives just days before the inaugural Madrid E-Prix at Circuito del Jarama, a race expected to draw significant attention. FIA president Ben Sulayem is also scheduled to attend. This makes the timing of the communication particularly significant.
Improvements noted; grievances laid bare
The letter to the FIA began on a diplomatic approach with the drivers noting the progress made across several operational areas within the Formula E championship. The stated that they “see a lot of effort and improvement year over year with the local ASNs, marshalling, safety, track conditions, technical fairness and general protocols”.
However, the tone quickly shifted, with the drivers stating that they wished to “formally express our shared and growing concern regarding the current standard, consistency, and procedural coherence of stewarding and race direction within the championship”.
The letter noted a series of persistent issues that drivers believe undermine fairness and clarity on track. These included inconsistent decision-making, unclear penalty applications and a lack of continuity within stewarding panels.
Moreover, drivers raise concerns about the expertise of those advising stewards, calling for “appointing driver advisors with direct Formula E experience” and “conducting an independent review of stewarding consistency”. They also criticised broader aspects of race control, including leadership, communication and transparency.
Direct challenge to Race Director and calls for structural reform
One of the most notable sections of the letter focuses on race director Marek Hanaczewski. The drivers explicitly called for an “internal evaluation of (the) race director (sic) understanding and reasoning of the sporting rules”.
They went further, adding: “without the capacity – and humility – to acknowledge and learn from mistakes, there is little evidence of continuous improvement”.
Beyond criticism, the drivers proposed concrete solutions aimed at improving governance. Chief among these is the creation of a “formal structured driver-race direction forum, publishing clearer championship-specific stewarding guidelines, an independent review of stewarding consistency”. They also pushed for the “creation of error-correcting mechanisms in the processing of applying and delivering penalties”.
Formula E Team Principals caught off guard by letter sent to the FIA
Despite the unified stance among drivers, the letter has reportedly blindsided team principals. Most team principals did not know that the letter existed until after the drivers sent it.
According to The Race, this lack of communication has already created internal tensions. Some teams are reportedly considering disciplinary measures, including fines or withholding bonus payments. While many team bosses sympathise with the underlying concerns, they appear frustrated by the manner in which the drivers acted independently. Furthermore, The Race reports that the Formula E Teams and Manufacturers (FETAMA) has been in communication with the FIA distancing the teams from their drivers’ actions.
FIA issues response
In a statement released to the media, an FIA spokesperson stated that there is ongoing dialogue within the championship.
“We are in regular correspondence with ABB FIA Formula E World Championship manufacturers, teams and drivers on a variety of topics. We are reviewing the comments on sporting matters raised recently by drivers, and will continue with the same proactive approach to develop and invest in this championship, ensuring the highest standards are maintained.”
