Formula E will see a Race Director change post the Miami EPrix with Scott Elkins leaving, as Toyota unveils 2025 WEC livery.
Formula E –
ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Race Director for the last seven years, Scot Elkins has decided to retire from his position in race control after the forthcoming Miami E-Prix (12 April) due to personal reasons. Marek Hanaczewski, who has been involved in Formula E in various race control functions since 2014 and has served as Deputy Race Director since Season 8 (2021-22), will succeed Scot as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Race Director.
Marek has developed his knowledge and built his experience while working closely with Scot and the team of FIA officials, and he is now ready to take up the reins. The Pole already has experience as Race Director, having in particular fulfilled that role at the recent São Paulo E-Prix – the opening round of the current ABB FIA Formula E World Championship campaign.
To ensure a smooth transition, Scot and Marek will swap roles from the upcoming Jeddah E-Prix (14-15 February). From the Monaco E-Prix (3-4 May) onwards, Benoit Dupont, current Head of Circuit Operations in Formula E and Sporting Matters in FIA World Endurance Championship, will support Marek as Deputy Race Director. Also a Circuit Inspector, Benoit is a member of the FIA High Performance Programme (HPP) for Race Directors and Stewards and worked as Marek’s deputy in São Paulo at the end of last year.
Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA: “For the past seven seasons, Scot has made a major contribution to the development of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, which has grown considerably over that period and continues to evolve. His involvement has been key to the management of the sport. Understanding his new circumstances, we have mutually agreed to end our strong collaboration after the Miami E-Prix.
“We are grateful to Scot for being a great race director and team player, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We have full trust in Marek Hanaczewski and Benoit Dupont to take over and together with Scot, we will give them all the support they need to continue thriving and maintaining the excellence of our race control operations.”
Scot Elkins: “After ten years in Formula E, the time has come for me to retire as Race Director. With the recent loss of my father this past December, I have new responsibilities that require my time and attention at home. While I had hoped to complete Season 11 and retire at its conclusion, my plans have now been accelerated and my focus remains on my family. I will continue working in motorsport, primarily on projects based in the USA.
“I have been honored to be a part of the Formula E paddock and am grateful for the friendships that have grown over the years. Although I am very sad to leave, I am confident in the staff that will remain. We have worked closely together and I know they are committed to making the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship a success, this season and in the many to come.”
Marek Hanaczewski: “Stepping into the role of Race Director is an exciting new chapter in my motorsport career, and the continuation of a journey that began 13 years ago. Since 2017, I have had the privilege to work alongside Scot, who has been not only a great leader but also a mentor, teacher and friend.
“I am incredibly grateful for the knowledge, experience and trust he has shared with me over the years. His contribution to Formula E is undeniable, and I deeply appreciate the time we have spent working together. Now, I look forward to leading race operations and ensuring the continued growth and success of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.”
WEC –
For TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship holds greater significance than usual, since round four – the 24 Hours of Le Mans – will mark the 40th anniversary of the manufacturer’s debut in the legendary La Sarthe contest. It might have taken Toyota 33 years to win Le Mans, but from 2018 to 2022, the brand was unbeatable in the race. It has subsequently been a leading protagonist and podium-finisher in the most recent two editions, falling short of a sixth victory last June by barely 14 seconds.
That was one of five rostrum results for the Japanese carmaker in FIA WEC in 2024, including three triumphs – in Italy, Brazil and Bahrain – with the last of those successes enabling Toyota to snatch the Manufacturers’ crown from rival Porsche’s grasp by the margin of just two points. In the Drivers’ standings, however, its run of five straight titles dating back to 2018/19 came to an end, as the #7 crew wound up third and the #8 trio fourth. With only three weeks until the Qatar 1812km gets the forthcoming campaign underway (28 February), they are determined to reassert their supremacy in both battles.
“It’s always very interesting to start a new season,” acknowledged four-time world champion Sébastien Buemi, whose stirring recovery drive in Bahrain back in November was key to securing Toyota the Manufacturers’ spoils. “We won the championship last year, and clearly, we want to build upon that. We’ve analysed all the mistakes we made and all the things we needed to work on, and hopefully we can prove from the beginning that we’re strong. It’s true that last year, Qatar wasn’t a good race for us, so we definitely want to start this season in a better way.”
“You’re always pumped up for a new season, to start afresh and for everything that might be,” echoed team-mate Mike Conway, who lifted the FIA WEC laurels in 2019/20. “We’ve seen more and more exciting racing over the past few years, and 2024 was decent for us in terms of results, but we also know we can still improve. Having missed Le Mans last year, I can’t wait to go back. Missing it cemented how much it means to compete in that race, and being Toyota’s 40th anniversary this year, I think it will be pretty special.”
Here’s video: https://x.com/TGR_WEC/status/1887426310953165258
[The story is as per press release]
