Formula E – A double event for the London ePrix in June 2015
The London Formula E ePrix was confirmed this week and the official announcement also included a surprise, with a double event scheduled at Battersea Park to conclude the first Formula E season.
The organizers of the Formula E Championship have confirmed that the London ePrix will be the final round of the first season of the 100% electric single-seater championship. The race will take place around Battersea Park, not far from the Thames.
But the announcement did hold a surprise because it will not be one race taking place in the British capital but two, consecutively, on June 27 and 28. There will therefore be 11 rounds on the calendar instead of the initially planned 10.
Alejandro Agag, the head of Formula E, expressed his delight with the agreement reached with the city of London after long negotiations: « The discussions for our London Formula E race have been ongoing for several months. We are therefore delighted to have obtained the approval of the Wandsworth council. Our thanks go to all parties involved for their work and cooperation, including Mayor Boris Johnson, the Wandsworth council, and the various groups involved. »
Agag is also delighted to see the first season of the championship end with a double event in London, which could offer a great spectacle: Having two races in London – the last two of the season – was an option discussed with the council and means that London could be the place where the first champion is crowned, offering a fantastic show for the city and a good platform to demonstrate sustainable mobility and clean energy. We will now begin preparations to bring electric car racing to London, but of course, this means working closely with stakeholders and resident groups to ensure that we remain considerate of park users.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached and hopes that Formula E will offer a great show and serve as a showcase for the UK capital: « Formula E is going to be a brilliant addition to London’s sporting calendar. The atmosphere will be almost literally electric, and Battersea, which is already booming with its redevelopment, will be alive with the excitement of this world-class event. »
2014/2015 FIA Formula E Calendar
Round 1 – Beijing ePrix, China – September 13, 2014
Round 2 – Putrajaya ePrix, Malaysia – November 22, 2014
Round 3 – Punta del Este ePrix, Uruguay – December 13, 2014
Round 4 – Buenos Aires ePrix, Argentina – January 10, 2015
Round 5 – Miami ePrix, United States – March 14, 2015
Round 6 – Long Beach ePrix, United States – April 4, 2015
Round 7 – Monaco ePrix, Monaco – May 9, 2015
Round 8 – Berlin ePrix, Germany – May 23, 2015
Round 9 – Moscow ePrix, Russia – June 6, 2015 *
Round 10 – London ePrix, United Kingdom – June 27, 2015 *
Round 11 – London ePrix, United Kingdom – June 28, 2015 *
* The circuit layout remains subject to FIA approval and track homologation
