'A very large building' - Australian billionaire outlines extraordinary vision for F1

Andrew Forrest has a rather unusual vision for the future of Formula 1 - it involves a huge limestone building, illuminated lettering and the pinnacle of motorsport becoming a museum attraction.

The new Formula E team founder believes F1's place in motorsport could eventually become a historical one, predicting that younger generations will turn towards electric racing.

Speaking at the launch of his new Fortescue Zero Racing Formula E team, the Australian billionaire suggested the sport's traditional combustion-engine machinery could one day be viewed as a relic of the past.

“I think Formula One has a place,” Forrest told reporters.

“It should have a very large building with Formula One at the front of it, made out of limestone, with lights on it, and it should be a museum.”

He believes the next generation of motorsport fans will be more attracted to a different kind of racing.

“The younger generation are going to go to the highest performance, greatest technically advanced and kindest to the environment racing there is, and that's going to be Formula E,” he added.

“Formula One are fantastic but their time is ticking past them.”

F1 HEADLINES: Hamilton backed in Ferrari row as team boss says contract decision out of his hands

Forrest challenges F1 to head-to-head showdown

Forrest's new team was formed following Fortescue's acquisition of Penske Autosport and will compete using Jaguar's Gen4 powertrain, with British drivers Dan Ticktum and Taylor Barnard behind the wheel.

But Forrest is not content simply with entering the electric championship. He also wants to see Formula E's latest machinery take on an F1 car in a direct contest.

“I want to see Formula One go head to head with Formula E,” he declared.

“And then I want to say 'how many decades did they have to get this right, and how many months did we have to get it right'. And let's see how we go.”

Forrest also insisted he would not even need his team to win to consider the challenge a success.

“Let's just put it to the test. I don't care if we come first or second,” he continued.

“What I know is that we're doing in months and years what they have taken decades and if we come anywhere near, it's over.

“Rise to the challenge, meet the dream. Formula One head-to-head with Formula E. Let's try it on, baby.”

Formula E's new Gen4 car raises the stakes

The challenge comes as Formula E prepares to introduce its Gen4 machinery for the 2026/27 season, representing another significant step in the development of electric single-seater racing.

The championship says the new cars will be capable of reaching 100kph in approximately 1.8 seconds and 200kph in 4.2 seconds.

Those acceleration figures underline the progress made by Formula E since its inaugural season in 2014, when drivers were required to switch cars mid-race because the batteries could not last the full distance.

However, the suggestion that the series has failed to keep pace environmentally is one F1 would strongly dispute.

The championship now uses fully sustainable fuel and reported a 35 per cent reduction in its carbon footprint in 2025 compared with its 2018 baseline. It also remains committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Forrest's new project also has an existing connection to F1 through Fortescue's acquisition of Williams Advanced Engineering in 2022. Former Williams team principal Claire Williams is an ambassador for the new operation, while Jim Wright, previously part of Williams' marketing team, has taken on the role of team principal.

Despite those links Forrest has made his view clear: he believes electric racing represents the future - and wants Formula 1 to prove him wrong on track.

READ MORE: Liam Lawson learns F1 fate as Racing Bulls announce contract decision

READ MORE: Verstappen questions Ferrari decision after Hamilton vs Leclerc showdown