Formula E Nissan visit Jeddah’s University of Business

• Formula E and Nissan Formula E Team representatives met with students at Jeddah’s prestigious University of Business and Technology (UBT) ahead of debut double-header race weekend.
• Formula E returns for Rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Saudi Arabia on February 14-15.
• After six successful seasons in Diriyah, the all-electric race has been moved to Jeddah where drivers will compete on a revised version of the record-breaking Jeddah Corniche Circuit. 
• Middle Eastern fans can tune into the on-track action on SSC or MBC across the season.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – Wednesday, February 12^th, 2025 – As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship gets set to make its debut on the record-breaking Jeddah Corniche Circuit, senior Formula E and Nissan Formula E Team representatives met with a select group of students at Jeddah’s prestigious University of Business and Technology (UBT) for a lively cross panel discussion this morning.

Formula E was represented on stage by Agustin Delicado, Event Operations Vice President and Cara Pelchen, Teams & Manufacturers Partnerships Director alongside Tommaso Volpe, Managing Director & Team Principal for Nissan Formula E Team. They were joined by Dr Hamza Ahmed Ghulman, UBT President Advisor and Professor in Mechanical Engineering for an extensive dialogue covering topics such as logistics in Formula E, sustainability, women’s initiatives – including Formula E’s celebrated FIA Girls on Track program – as well as STEM and innovation and the many varied career opportunities that exist in motorsport today.

A subsequent Q&A session allowed the attending group of 70 specially selected UBT students to quiz the expert panel on a variety of wide-ranging matters. Questions posed by the students included the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix, race week operations, sustainable racing, diversity initiatives, Formula E’s continued focus on innovation and pushing boundaries, as well as gaining helpful advice on working in motorsport.

Speaking after the event, Cara Pelchen, Teams & Manufacturers Partnerships Director, Formula E, commented: “It was an absolute privilege to speak with the students at UBT in Jeddah and share insights on the growing opportunities for women in motorsport. At Formula E, through initiatives such as FIA Girls on Track and our all-women’s test in Madrid, we are committed to fostering a more inclusive, diverse and sustainable future. I hope today’s discussion demonstrates to more young people that Formula E is a place where everyone is welcome and can thrive.”

Tommaso Volpe also added: “It is amazing to have the opportunity to speak with students at Jeddah’s University of Business and Technology. Initiatives like this are important to interact with young and passionate individuals who will be shaping the development of our technologies in the future. We’re excited to race in Jeddah for the first time, especially under the lights at a new circuit for the series and with the introduction of Pit Boost. I think both teams and fans are looking forward to seeing the Pit Boost in action during a real race and it could be a game changer in terms of strategy. It’s set to be a very exciting and eventful double-header, and we’re delighted that this will also be the home race of our innovation partner Electromin. As a company dedicated to electric mobility solutions, we’re very happy to have their support as we enter a new chapter in Formula E with the introduction of Pit Boost. We’ve been preparing well and can’t wait to be on track!”

After six successful seasons in Diriyah, Formula E has moved its Saudi race weekend to Jeddah in 2025, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision for the future of sports in the Kingdom. The Jeddah E-Prix will offer an exhilarating race experience, contributing to the growth of motorsport in the region. With its breathtaking Red Sea backdrop, the 2025 Jeddah E-Prix promises an unforgettable experience for fans and competitors alike.

The inaugural Jeddah E-Prix will also see the launch of PIT BOOST – a groundbreaking new feature that’s ready to entertain thousands of motorsport fans at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit this weekend. Designed to enhance strategy, unpredictability and fan engagement, PIT BOOST is an innovative mid-race feature that provides a 10% energy increase (3.85kWh) to race cars through a 30-second, 600kW rapid recharge in the pitlane. This mandatory sporting feature – deploying more than double the power of current consumer superchargers – adds another strategic element during selected races, with the potential to dramatically alter race outcomes and tactics.

– ENDS –

About Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship:

As the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport-certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation.

The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities is united by a passion for the sport and belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and the planet.

About ABB:

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). 

www.abb.com