Diriyah to ignite new Formula E season

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns with two electrifying rounds on Friday and Saturday, under the crisp lights of Diriyah in Saudi Arabia.?

The start of Season 8 sees the drivers tackle one of the most technically challenging tracks of the series around the walls of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Arabian Peninsula.?

The pitlane will see 11 teams line-up 22 of the best drivers in the sport, going head to-head to set their foundation in pursuit of the FIA World Championship title.?

This season is bound to be the biggest-ever, with 16 races on the calendar while the return of fans to the stands will mark a welcome return of ‘normalcy’ as the speed stars take to the track.?

The action sets off on Friday, (28 January) as the drivers warm up for Round 1 with an afternoon qualifying session before racing under lights.?

Round 2 continues on Saturday with more sparks expected as the drivers grow in confidence around the tricky circuit.

DRIVERS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR

Former Formula 1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi will line up for Dragon/Penske Autosport, who snapped up the Italian driver to race alongside Sergio Sette Camara.

Double Reigning World Champions Nyck de Vries and Mercedes-EQ are looking to defend their Drivers' and Teams' World Championships titles.?

While their closest rivals from last season field unchanged line-ups, this season sees three new drivers take a seat in the most competitive Formula E grid to date, including new addition and ex-Formula 1 racer, Giovinazzi.?

Mitch Evans and Sam Bird are back with Jaguar TCS Racing while DS TECHEETAH confirmed that double champion Jean-Eric Vergne once again lines up with Season 6 title-winner Antonio Felix da Costa.?

Envision Racing will seek to build on a positive Season 7, with Robin Frijns impressing on the way to fifth in the standings last time out, and Nick Cassidy is no longer just the head-turning rookie but a serious contender.?

After a storming maiden campaign, Avalanche Andretti's Jake Dennis is back and is joined by the only American driver on the grid, 2019 Indy Lights champ Oliver Askew.?

ROKiT Venturi Racing head into a new campaign full of optimism with last year’s runner up, Edoardo Mortara, joined by 2016/17 champion Lucas di Grassi at the Monegasque team this season.?

TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team's all-German line-up remains where Pascal Wehrlein and Andre Lotterer go again in search of Porsche's maiden race win in all-electric motorsport as Oliver Rowland joins countryman Alexander Sims at Mahindra Racing.?

Maximilian Guenther makes the switch to Nissan e.dams, alongside 2015/16 champion Sebastien Buemi. At NIO 333, Oliver Turvey is joined by multiple Macau Grand Prix winner and current FIA Formula 2 Championship front-runner Dan Ticktum.?

OPENING WEEKEND RACING:?

Friday, 28 Jan

Round 1 - Qualification | 14:30pm CAT

Round 1 - Race | 18:55pm CAT

Saturday, 29 Jan

Round 2 - Qualification | 14:30pm CAT

Round 2 - Race | 18:55pm CAT