According to Alejandro Agag, the CEO of Formula E, winning both the Formula 1 and Formula E championships is now a requirement for drivers who aspire to be counted among motorsport’s all-time greats. Agag, the founding CEO of Formula E, has consistently positioned the electric racing series as a competitor to Formula 1, envisioning a future where Formula E replaces it as the pinnacle of motor racing.
In an interview with ESPN in 2018, Agag expressed his belief in the future success of Formula E, stating, “I think Formula E is going to get really, really big… We will be probably the main motorsport because the world will be electric.” As Formula E secured FIA World Championship status ahead of its seventh season, Agag now asserts that winning an F1 World title alone is insufficient for drivers to be considered great—they must also secure a Formula E crown.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s On Track, Agag stated, “I think we’ve put it in a place where if you really want to call yourself the best driver in the world, you really need to win Formula 1 and Formula E.” Consequently, Agag has attempted to persuade four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel to join Formula E.
Vettel retired from Formula 1 at the end of the previous season, and Agag revealed that he has had informal discussions with the German driver. “I’ve tried to convince Sebastian to come to Formula E,” Agag disclosed. “He’s very committed to sustainability, he’s very committed to many of the values we share.” However, Agag acknowledged that Vettel already has future plans in place and Formula E was not in the right position at the right time to secure his involvement.
Historically, five out of the seven Formula E champions have been former Formula 1 drivers: Nelson Piquet Jr., Sébastien Buemi, Lucas di Grassi, Jean-Éric Vergne, and Stoffel Vandoorne. Interestingly, none of them achieved a Formula 1 Grand Prix victory. Conversely, Formula 1 has only seen one Formula E driver transition to its ranks, with Nyck de Vries, the 2020-21 Formula E World Champion, signing with AlphaTauri for this year’s championship.
De Vries has encountered difficulties adjusting to Formula 1, struggling to score points and match the performance of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. The Dutch driver’s experience highlights the challenges faced by drivers moving between the two championships.
As the motorsport landscape evolves, the convergence of Formula 1 and Formula E becomes an increasingly significant aspect, with drivers seeking success in both disciplines to solidify their status among the sport’s elite. Only time will tell if Agag’s vision of Formula E’s ascendancy and its integration with Formula 1 becomes a reality.
