Race and classic pictures

Formula E's class of 2023 charges up for Season 9

Formula E kicks off its ninth season this weekend in Mexico City, and it's a new dawn for the all-electric series as it begins its Gen3 era.

FE's new electric charger is its most powerful yet, with 100kW added to the powertrain while the car itself is a whopping 60kg is weight.

However, it's been a difficult genesis for the Gen3 machine, with reliability issues impacting the new power units developed by Williams Advanced Engineering as well as the machines novel front-brakes only system.

Further changes include tyre manufacturer Kankook replacing Michelin and supplying the series with its single, all-weather compound.

On the sporting front, races will now be run to lap length rather than to the pervious 45 minutes + 1 lap time format, while the series will no longer rely on its traditional Fan Boost system that allowed fans to vote for their favourite driver to receive an extra dose of power on race day.

However, drivers will still an extra 350kW of Attack Mode power at their disposal for a specific amount of time. As usual, the boost will be activated by passing through the activation zone off the racing line.

There has been a fair amount of drivers swaps in the field since last year, with reigning FE world champion Stoffel Vandoorne moving from his former Mercedes team which was acquired by McLaren to DS Penske where he will race alongside former series champion Jean-Eric Vergne.

Maserati is also a new name on the grid, with the Italian manufacturer taking over Monaco-based Venturi, with Edoardo Mortara and Maximilian Gunther doing the driving.

Over at Porsche, Pascal Wehrlein has been joined by Antonio Felix da Costa while André Lotterer has moved to Avalanche Andretti.

Saturday's curtain-raiser in Mexico City will kick off at 20:03 GMT (21:03 CET).

Check out hereunder the full list of teams and drivers:

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.