Formula E Berlin ePrix II
Felipe Drugovich re-ignites calls for slick tyres in Formula E
Formula E’s switch away from all-weather tyres in Gen4 has reopened debate about whether the championship should finally adopt slicks
Rachit Thukral
Published: May 8, 2026, 10:08 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Felipe Drugovich, Andretti Formula E
Photo by: Malcolm Griffiths / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andretti driver Felipe Drugovich believes slick tyres are the final missing element from Formula E’s otherwise spectacular Gen4 car.
The all-electric championship has generated significant interest since it first revealed its next-generation racer towards the end of last year. With a peak power output of 600kW (805bhp) and permanent all-wheel drive, the Gen4 model is expected to lap faster than current Formula 2 machinery and considerably closer to Formula 1 pace.
Read Also:
However, despite such a sweeping technical overhaul, Formula E will continue to use grooved tyres, as it has done since the inception of the championship in 2014.
Drugovich, who has experience in F1 testing and endurance racing with Cadillac’s LMDh programme, described the Gen4 car as a major step forward for Formula E, but believes slick tyres would further boost the series’ image.
“I think it's something that Formula E really needed,” the Brazilian told Motorsport.com.
“Qualifying is going to really change a lot. The car is going to become a lot quicker. I think that just the spectacle of seeing those cars ripping around the circuit is going to be a lot nicer. So it's something that Formula E needs.
“I think the one thing that it really needs at the moment is slick tyres. The fans, until the point that they don't see a slick tyre on the car, they're not going to take it as a proper formula car. Some of them [at least as], some people already do. So, I think once we have them, then it's going to be complete.”
Asked if he could see Formula E switching to slicks in the future, he replied: “Yeah, hopefully that's the plan. I think that's going to be quite nice.”
Felipe Drugovich, Andretti Formula E
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
To reduce its environmental footprint, Formula E has traditionally used a single all-weather tyre capable of operating in both dry and wet conditions.
However, with the advent of the Gen4 era and the move to Bridgestone as the official tyre supplier, Formula E will also have two different compounds like most other championships - a primary high-performance tyre for dry conditions and a dedicated ‘monsoon’ tyre for extreme weather. But even the dry-weather tyre, however, will continue to feature grooves.
With Formula E already moving away from its one-tyre concept, Drugovich believes the series now has an opportunity to make the final step to slicks.
“I think that's what everyone wants to be on,” said the former Aston Martin F1 reserve. “Obviously, there is all the green part of the championship that doesn't want to bring a thousand tyres to the race weekend.
“But at the same time, next year, we're already going to have two types of tyres. So, why not have the dry one as slick? So it's quite cool. It is what it is.
“I think that the main step is already done. You know, the car is going to become a lot quicker. So that's the big plus.
He added: “From what the simulations are saying, that Gen 4 is already a really quick car, and with slicks, it's going to be quite impressive.”
Read Also:
Formula E“I wish people would get to know me first” - Dan Ticktum still without Gen4 Formula E seat
Formula EWhat next for Lucas di Grassi after retiring as a professional driver?
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article “I wish people would get to know me first” - Dan Ticktum still without Gen4 Formula E seat
Next article Why Gen4 feels like Lola’s true Formula E beginning
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Rachit Thukral
WEC Monza: Cadillac wins chaotic finale, #8 Toyota seals drivers’ title
WEC
WEC
Monza
5 h
WEC Monza: Cadillac wins chaotic finale, #8 Toyota seals drivers’ title
MotoGP Qatar GP: Full starting grid
MotoGP
MotoGP
Qatar GP
MotoGP Qatar GP: Full starting grid
More from
Felipe Drugovich
What does Felipe Drugovich’s Andretti Formula E move mean for his F1 future?
Formula E
Formula E
What does Felipe Drugovich’s Andretti Formula E move mean for his F1 future?
Felipe Drugovich to make Formula E debut as substitute for Nyck de Vries at Mahindra
Formula E
Formula E
Berlin ePrix I
Felipe Drugovich to make Formula E debut as substitute for Nyck de Vries at Mahindra
Is Cadillac walking into a trap of its own making while chasing victory at Le Mans?
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Is Cadillac walking into a trap of its own making while chasing victory at Le Mans?
More from
Andretti Autosport
Kyle Kirkwood seals career-best IndyCar season with Laguna Seca runner-up
IndyCar
IndyCar
Laguna Seca
Kyle Kirkwood seals career-best IndyCar season with Laguna Seca runner-up
Will Power crashes hard in second IndyCar Markham practice
IndyCar
IndyCar
Markham
Will Power crashes hard in second IndyCar Markham practice
Marcus Ericsson will remain with Andretti for 2027 IndyCar season
IndyCar
IndyCar
Portland
Marcus Ericsson will remain with Andretti for 2027 IndyCar season
Latest news
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
19 min
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc summoned to stewards after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc summoned to stewards after F1 Brazilian GP
Jorge Martin will be "almost 100% fit" in Portugal as heroic Qatar display keeps title hopes alive
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
1 h
Jorge Martin will be "almost 100% fit" in Portugal as heroic Qatar display keeps title hopes alive
Five quick takeaways from Brazilian GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 h
Five quick takeaways from Brazilian GP
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe