Formula E is once again confronted with a frustrating two-month gap in its racing schedule after failing to replace the planned 2025 race in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The March 8 race was left as a ‘to be confirmed’ slot between the confirmed events in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in February and Homestead, Florida, in April. However, despite efforts to find an alternative venue, no suitable replacement could be finalized in time for this week’s FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting.
The political change in Thailand, with the appointment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister, diminished the likelihood of Chiang Mai hosting a Formula E race, leading to the event’s removal from the calendar. Formula E Operations had considered various alternatives, including a return to Sanya, China, but ultimately failed to secure a replacement in time.
This leaves Formula E with the possibility of reducing the 2024-25 season to 15 races or turning either the Jakarta or Homestead fixtures into a double-header to fill the void. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time the all-electric series has encountered scheduling challenges. Previous seasons have seen last-minute calendar adjustments, such as the Marrakesh race in 2022 replacing a canceled Vancouver E-Prix, and the political fallout that affected Hyderabad’s second event last season, leaving a two-month gap in that campaign as well.
For a sport still striving to build momentum, these disruptions are increasingly damaging. The long gaps between races, especially after an early-season burst of excitement, have left Formula E struggling to maintain consistency. This latest setback continues a worrying trend for the series, just when stability and cohesion are most needed to capture fan engagement and commercial success.
Despite claims from Formula E promoters that numerous cities are eager to host races, the failure to secure a single event for March 2025 underscores the challenges the series faces in delivering on its full calendar promises. After 11 seasons of operation, questions are now being raised about Formula E’s ability to provide a consistent and cohesive schedule, leaving fans and participants increasingly frustrated.
