Formula E drivers 'not far off' F1 level, says ex-driver Bird

Former Formula E driver Sam Bird asserts the talent level in the all-electric championship is now "really not far off" Formula 1, crediting a decade of technical evolution and world-class team development for closing the gap. Bird, who competed in the series' first race in 2014 and most recently for Jaguar, highlights the dramatic doubling of car power and the arrival of a grid filled with drivers who could compete in F1.

Why it matters:

Formula E's journey from a novel concept using two cars per race to a certified FIA World Championship represents one of motorsport's most rapid ascents. Bird's insider perspective underscores how the series has shed its early experimental phase to become a legitimate destination for elite driving talent, reshaping perceptions of its competitive prestige relative to the traditional pinnacle of F1.

The details:

• Technical Leap: Bird notes race power output has doubled from 150 kW in the Gen1 era to 300 kW in the current Gen3 car, with qualifying modes reaching 350 kW supplemented by all-wheel drive capabilities.
• Performance Benchmark: The current Gen3 Evo car is recognized as the fastest-accelerating FIA single-seater, reaching 100 km/h (60 mph) 30% quicker than a contemporary Formula 1 car.
• Driver Caliber: The grid now features a mix of established ex-F1 names and rising stars whom Bird believes "could be in F1," arguing the depth of talent is close behind F1's top seven or eight drivers.
• Operational Shift: Bird contrasts the early days—which required a mid-race car swap—with today's "world-class" team operations, marking a complete transformation in the series' professionalism and technical execution.

What's next:

The competitive convergence is set to continue with the introduction of the more powerful Gen4 car next season, which will likely attract an even higher caliber of driver. While Formula 1 retains its status as the undisputed pinnacle, Bird's assessment signals that Formula E has firmly established itself as a top-tier championship where the margin separating its best drivers from those in F1 is increasingly narrow.