A Formula E race in Zurich after 60 years of ban
Automobile racing will make its grand return on Swiss soil after the official inclusion of the Zurich e-Prix in the 2017-2018 Formula E championship calendar.
The Swiss Confederation, which now has two representatives in the 100% electric discipline with Sébastien Buemi and newcomer Neel Jani at Dragon Racing, is about to experience a small revolution with the arrival of Formula E and, above all, an automobile race on its soil.
In fact, this discipline has been banned in Swiss territory since the Le Mans disaster in 1955, which saw Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes fly into the crowd and kill over 80 people.
A step towards allowing racing in Switzerland was taken in 2015 with the passing of a law permitting the organization of races using electric propulsion. Now the final step has been completed, as the organizers of the Formula E championship have officially announced the holding of an e-Prix in Zurich on June 10.
This will not be the first time Formula E single-seaters are seen in a Swiss city, as a demonstration had already taken place in the streets of Geneva two years ago.
What an Amazing NEWS @FIAformulaE ! Can’t wait to be racing in my home country! It is a Dream come true! #ZurichEPrix #Switzerland #homerace pic.twitter.com/Mmn9nVRBkq
— Sébastien Buemi (@Sebastien_buemi) 21 septembre 2017
The president of the FIA, Jean Todt, believes that seeing Switzerland reengage with motorsport is very good news: « Being able to reintroduce this discipline in a country where it has been absent since its ban in 1955 is an exciting prospect and the achievement of an important goal for the FIA. »
He adds that the organization of this race is another step in popularizing the championship: I would like to congratulate all those who have contributed to making this sport a reality, as it is important that we continue to introduce motorsport to new audiences worldwide. With other new additions to the calendar in Santiago, Sao Paulo, and Rome, I believe we have a very good Formula E season ahead of us.
Alejandro Agag, CEO and founder of the Formula E Championship, believes that the strengths of the championship have once again been highlighted: « This would not have been possible without the fundamental principles of Formula E, which are at the origin of the electric revolution and sustainable mobility. »
Before slipping in a word for the leaders of the Swiss private bank Julius Baer (main partner of the championship) who facilitated the organization of the event: I would like to express our gratitude to Boris Collardi, the CEO of Julius Baer, and his entire team for their unwavering trust in Formula E, we have once again been able to innovate in the world of motorsport.
To be completely thorough, be aware that the FIA meeting also officially confirmed the holding of the Berlin e-Prix, still on the tarmac of the former Tempelhof airport, on May 19, and the rescheduling of the New York double-header to July 14 and 15.
