Formula E Car achieves 218kmph top speed indoors, breaking Guinness World Records

In a significant milestone for electric vehicle (EV) technology, Formula E driver Jake Hughes of the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team achieved a new Guinness World Record for the fastest speed ever achieved by a vehicle indoors. The record-breaking attempt took place at the ExCeL London events arena, where the GENBETA electric race car set a top speed of 218.71kmph, surpassing the previous indoor land speed record by over 50kmph.

The GENBETA project, a collaboration between Formula E, the FIA, and championship partners SABIC and Hankook, featured an all-electric GEN3 race car with significant modifications. With an increased power output of 400kW, up from the standard 350kW, the car's capabilities were further enhanced by its all-wheel drive configuration, ensuring improved acceleration and grip on the indoor track.

During the record-setting attempt, Formula E drivers Jake Hughes and Lucas di Grassi from the Mahindra Racing team engaged in a head-to-head competition using the popular 'Duels' qualifying format. Both drivers repeatedly surpassed the previous indoor land speed record of 165.2kmph during their practice runs.

The ExCeL London events arena track, which extends 2.09km both inside and outside the 100,000 sq/m arena, featured a challenging 130-degree turn followed by a 346-meter straight section where record-breaking speeds were attained. To ensure accuracy and compliance with the Guinness World Records criteria, sophisticated speed trap systems precisely measured the drivers' speeds just five metres before they entered the braking zone, requiring the car to come to a complete stop within one continuous building structure.

Supporting the drivers throughout the record-breaking endeavour was the generative artificial intelligence (AI) provided by Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform. The AI analysed real-time telemetry data, providing valuable insights into speed, power, and grip recommendations, enabling the drivers to optimise their approach across multiple attempts.

The GENBETA project serves as an innovation platform for high-performance racing and automotive technologies. Its primary focus areas are performance, efficiency, and sustainability, with the ultimate goal of accelerating technology transfer from racing to road vehicles. The collaboration between Formula E, the FIA, SABIC, and Hankook aims to pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future in electric mobility.

As the record-breaking achievement made headlines, anticipation for the final two races of the 2023 Hankook London E-Prix has reached a fever pitch. In the championship standings, Jake Dennis of the Avalanche Andretti Formula E team currently leads Nick Cassidy of Envision Racing by 24 points, making the final races even more exciting.