The 2025-26 Formula E season came to a dramatic conclusion in London, with Porsche and Jaguar locked in a fierce battle for both the drivers’ and teams’ championships. In the aftermath, Porsche team principal Florian Modlinger offered a pointed theory: the tight and twisty ExCeL circuit was deliberately selected as the season finale venue to ensure maximum unpredictability.
Speaking to media after the weekend’s races, Modlinger suggested that the unique characteristics of the London track—narrow in places, with unforgiving walls and limited overtaking opportunities—were not a coincidence. “That track was chosen to create chaos,” he said. “It’s a circuit where one small mistake can change the whole championship. It’s not a typical Formula E circuit; it’s more like a kart track, and that’s exactly what makes it so challenging.”
The London E-Prix has long been a fixture on the Formula E calendar, but this year it carried extra weight as the final round. The series often saves its most dramatic venues for the finale, and London’s indoor-outdoor layout certainly delivered on that front. The circuit’s tight corners and concrete barriers leave little room for error, and with the championship on the line, the pressure was immense.
Modlinger’s comments come after a weekend that saw both Porsche and Jaguar push their cars to the limit. On Saturday, the action was intense, with multiple lead changes and a few incidents that reshaped the standings. The narrow nature of the track made overtaking difficult, forcing drivers to take risks in qualifying and in the pit stops. For Modlinger, this was exactly the kind of environment the series wanted.
“If you want a fair fight, you go to a wide, open track like Berlin or New York,” he explained. “But if you want to spice things up, you pick a place like London. It’s a lottery, and that’s what the organizers seem to want for the finale.”
His remarks echo a sentiment shared by many in the paddock: that Formula E’s scheduling choices are often driven by a desire to maximize entertainment and unpredictability. The series has built its reputation on close racing and dramatic finishes, and the London finale certainly delivered on that promise.
The championship battle was a see-saw affair throughout the weekend. Porsche entered the final round with a slight edge, but Jaguar’s consistency kept them within striking distance. The tight confines of the ExCeL circuit meant that grid position was crucial, and both teams spent hours poring over data to find the perfect setup.
For Porsche, the weekend was a rollercoaster. Their drivers showed strong pace in practice, but qualifying proved tricky, with the narrow track amplifying any small error. In the race, strategy played a pivotal role, as teams juggled energy management and attack mode timings. The chaos Modlinger predicted did indeed materialize, with a late safety car bunching up the field and setting up a frantic finale.
While Modlinger stopped short of accusing the series of rigging the outcome, he was clear about the intent behind the track choice. “They want a show, and they got one,” he said. “From a sporting perspective, it’s debatable whether that’s the right way to decide a championship. But from a fan’s perspective, it was fantastic.”
The controversy is unlikely to die down soon. Some teams have already called for a review of the calendar, arguing that the finale should be held on a more conventional circuit to reward consistency over the season. Others, however, welcome the added drama, pointing out that Formula E has always been about pushing boundaries.
As the dust settles on the 2025-26 season, the debate over London’s role in the championship will linger. But for now, Modlinger’s candid assessment offers a glimpse into the mindset of a team principal who knows that in Formula E, anything can happen—especially on a track designed to create chaos.
Whether the series will heed calls for change remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the London E-Prix has cemented its reputation as a venue where championships are won and lost in the most unpredictable fashion.
