Niki Lauda Dismisses Formula E as “Not Motorsport”
F1 legend Niki Lauda has publicly criticised Formula E after its Beijing debut, describing the electric series as lacking the essence of real racing.
Niki Lauda has delivered a scathing assessment of Formula E following its inaugural race in Beijing, dismissing the all-electric championship as unworthy of the motorsport label. The former Formula One world champion and then Mercedes F1 executive made his views clear in an interview with Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, shortly after the series’ debut event in September 2014.
Lauda, never one to hold back on opinion, said the racing he witnessed fell short of his standards. He described the Formula E cars as “toys” and argued that the lack of engine noise and low speeds undermined the spectacle. “For me it was the worst thing I have seen for a long time,” he said, adding that the cars “creep around the track one after the other” and that, in his view, “this is not motor sport.”
Formula E’s opening race, held on a temporary street circuit in Beijing, was intended to showcase the viability of electric racing to a global audience. Promoted by Alejandro Agag and sanctioned by the FIA, the championship attracted a grid packed with drivers from Formula One, GP2 and other high-level single-seater series. Despite the strong field, Lauda was unimpressed by the on-track product.
Lauda’s comments in context
Lauda’s remarks came at a time when Formula One itself was facing criticism over its move to smaller, turbocharged hybrid engines, which some fans said lacked the drama of previous eras. Lauda, who had defended F1’s technical direction, drew a clear distinction between the hybrid powertrains in Formula One and the fully electric approach of Formula E. He argued that noise and speed are essential elements of the sport.
His comments echoed a wider debate within motorsport about the role of new technology and the importance of spectacle. Formula E’s supporters pointed to its environmental credentials and the potential for electric racing to attract new fans and manufacturers. Critics, including Lauda, questioned whether the series could ever match the excitement of established championships.
Formula E’s early reception
The Beijing event marked the start of Formula E’s first season, with the FIA and organisers hoping to establish the series as a credible alternative to traditional motorsport. The championship’s unique format, including mandatory car swaps and city-centre circuits, was designed to appeal to urban audiences and highlight electric technology. Lauda’s high-profile criticism underlined the challenge Formula E faced in winning over established figures in the sport.
Despite scepticism from some quarters, Formula E continued to develop, attracting major manufacturers and growing its fan base in subsequent years. Lauda’s comments remain an early example of the resistance new racing formats can face from within motorsport’s own ranks.
