The 2025 Monaco E-Prix will see the return of Formula E’s Pit Boost feature for the first time since its debut in Jeddah earlier this year, giving teams and drivers an extra challenge to grapple with at an already demanding circuit.
New for Season 11, the Pit Boost format requires drivers to make a mandatory mid-race recharging pit stop during one of the two races on a double-header weekend. Drivers receive a 10% energy increase in 30 seconds, delivered at 600 kilowatts.
As the teams reacquaint themselves with the fast charging technology, Silverstone-based Cupra Kiro will be hoping for better fortunes, as it looks to bounce back from a race-ruining Pit Boost malfunction in Jeddah.
Talking to select media, including Formula E Zone, Cupra Kiro team principal Alex Hui divulged that the team’s first impression of the Pit Boost features “wasn’t great”.
“We were one of the only cars having an error, or a fault, that forced us to reset during the pit stop, that basically ruined the race when we were running as high as P6,” said Hui.
“We have [had] a lot of reviews of what went wrong in Jeddah,” Hui shared ahead of the first race. “A lot of things, honestly, were not under our control, but we’ll try to avoid them from happening.”
The novelty of the Pit Boost technology naturally opens the door to the possibility of issues outside of the teams’ control. Dan Ticktum, who had been running firmly in the points prior to pitting, wasn’t able to make back the time lost in the pitlane. He finished P19, with teammate David Beckmann crossing the line in P14.
Despite Cupra Kiro’s unlucky Pit Boost debut, Hui maintains that it’s a positive addition to the Formula E format.
“It wasn’t a great experience for us, but I think it’s a great thing for the championship,” said Hui. “Saturday and Sunday, both races will have the same amount of laps, but in one you will have the [Pit Boost], so you will see two very different races. I think it’ll just create more excitement.”
The 2025 Monaco E-Prix marks the first time the Principality has hosted a double-header, with Race One seeing the return of the mandatory Pit Boost.
Cupra Kiro has already enjoyed a strong start to the race weekend, with Ticktum taking the top spot in both practice sessions on Saturday morning. The team uses the 2024 Porsche powertrain — which reigned supreme during qualifying in Monaco last year.
Speaking to select media on Friday, Hui was positive about the team’s chances around the iconic Monte Carlo circuit.
“I would have to believe every race we can get on the podium,” said Hui. “Obviously, it’s very difficult to do any predictions. We just try our best, but I would say I have a good feeling this weekend.
We’re starting in a good place,” Hui added. “Last year, Pascal Wehrlein put it on pole position here. So we will believe the same car can be competitive, although we’ve got different tyres and a four-wheel drive.”
Image credit: Joe Portlock / Formula E
