Monaco E-Prix 2026: Sustainability boosts the year's most electrifying weekend in Monaco!

When in 2011 Jean Todt, then President of the FIA - Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, and Alejandro Agag, leading Spanish entrepreneur and politician, current President of the Formula E motor racing championship, wrote down on a paper towel the idea that had just occurred to him, no one would have thought it would be so successful. The concept started from a simple principle, sharing the passion for motor sport with the most virtuous values of Sustainable Mobility and the latest trends of GreenTech. But its realisation seemed complex from the very beginning and with uncertain results, also in terms of the public response, deprived of the traditional roar of the engines of classic Formula 1.

How could the performance of a racing car be reconciled with its zero-emission impact? Would the life of the electric batteries have allowed the engine to convert energy into speed? Would organising the event in the urban centres of major European and international metropolises have guaranteed sufficient safety measures? Would the unusual hissing silent sound of the racing cars have been able to capture the enthusiasm and adrenaline of the fans?

After twelve editions of the championship overall, six of which under the aegis of the FIA World Championship, the result is astonishing both from the point of view of the popularity and the advancement of technology as for both batteries and engines.

Monaco ABB E-Prix 2026, being held this weekend in the Principality, on the 16th and the 17th May 2026 on the famous Grand Prix circuit, celebrates the 9th and 10th steps of this year's sport challenge. The circuit measures 3.337 km, as the Formula 1 configuration, including iconic spots, notably: Sainte Dévote, the ascending of the Monte-Carlo Casino, the Fairmont Hotel curve, the tunnel and Port Hercules.

However, the Formula E spirit is completely different, but no less exciting. Rapid acceleration, strategic energy management, frequent overtaking and close-quarters wheel-to-wheel battles, are capable of keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Moreover, fans can truly influence the outcome of the race by voting for their favorite driver, allowing them to benefit from extra mechanical performance during the race: the so-called "Fan Boost". A feature that makes this sport unique compared to all the others. And all this without emissions into the natural environment.

Photo >> Official poster of Monaco ABB E-Prix 2026 © Automobile Club de Monaco

The single-seaters that will take to the track in 2026 are the fruit of four generations of race cars. The Gen1 dominated n the pioneering phase (2014-2018). Equipped with basic batteries, they used to have limited range, providing a maximum power of 200 kW in qualifying, while forcing drivers to make a mandatory mid-race car change. The Gen2, introduced in 2018, doubled the battery capacity, bypassing the need for a car transmission. Power rose then up to 250 kW and top speed exceeded 280 km/h. So, the Attack Mode was finally workable, allowing pilots to gather extra power by passing over specific areas off the ideal trajectory. After being included in the official FIA World Championship in 2020, the Formula E further evolved in 2022 thanks to the Gen3 vehicles, smaller, lighter and designed with recycled materials. With 350 kW of power (over 470 hp) and the addition of a front-mounted motor generator, these fully-electric race cars were capable of regenerating over 40% of the energy used in the race. In 2025, the Gen3 Evo was unveiled. The front wing was modified and Hankook tires were remade to offer 5-10% more grip, with the aim of achieving lower aerodynamic drag, longer life while improving the aesthetic, keeping the maximum power remains at 350 kW, 50 kW more than in standard racing mode. Last not least, in 2026, the Gen4 are offering record speed and regeneration power as well as high technologies which anticipate the future of road electric.

Photo >> Press Conference with (from left to right) Mitch Evans, Jean-Éric Vergne, Norman Nato, in view of Monaco E-Prix 2026 © Automobile Club de Monaco

The championship battle in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is heating up. Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) and Edoardo Mortara (Mahindra Racing) are pushing hard as the season approaches its climax, with the title chase tightening around Porsche's Pascal Wehrlein.

For all drivers, navigating the iconic streets of the Principality is a career highlight, as they reiterated during the international press conference. “It is a privilege for all of us to race here,” said Mitch Evans. The Jaguar TCS Racing star, who secured a memorable Monaco E-Prix victory in 2024, is eager to maximise this year's challenge, even if the Monaco stage is always unpredictable, as Edoardo Mortara pointed out: "It is always difficult to know if we’ll be competitive. It is a truly unpredictable circuit.”

Sébastien Buemi (Envision Racing) too was of the same opinion: “I am trying to stay realistic. We’ve shown that we can be competitive in races, but here it’s never easy. We’ll build the weekend session by session". But he still holds the record for the most E-Prix victories in Monaco, with three podiums (2015, 2017 and 2025).

Jean-Éric Vergne (Citroën Racing) was excited about the ideo of competing again in the Principality: "Monaco is always a special place. I love the track and then you are on top of it the historic elements of that city”. Norman Nato (Nissan Formula E Team), practically feels at home, every time he returns to this circuit: “I am from the south of France, so this race is special for me. My family will obviously be here, it’s a pleasure and a great opportunity to race here on two consecutive days”. A double challenge, the one on Saturday and Sunday, which must be taken one step at a time, as Maximilian Günther (DS Penske) concluded: “Actually, you have to approach the two races a little bit different and this is what It’s all about here, adapting and racing”. All we have to do is know who will be the best on the track, with the certainty that everyone will win in carbon offset! ***

✒️ Maurice Abbati

• Strategic Communication Specialist, Editor in Chief, Journalist, Executive.

• Lecturer and Author in English in the field of Environmental Communication to foster Circular and Blue Economy