Following a decision by Wandsworth Council, the London race of the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship has received planning approval to be held within the grounds of Battersea Park. The London ePrix will also encompass two separate races – Rounds 10 and 11 – on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, increasing the inaugural calendar by one additional race.
After many months of planning and following lengthy consultations with all parties, the world’s first fully-electric racing series will host its final two rounds on a specially created 15-turn, 2.92km circuit – designed by FE’s London Event Team together with British architect Simon Gibbons.
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said: “Discussions for our London Formula E race have been many months in the planning so we’re delighted to be awarded planning approval by Wandsworth Council. Our thanks must go to all the parties involved for their hardwork and co-operation, especially Mayor Boris Johnson, Wandsworth Council and the various stakeholder groups with interests in the location. Having two races in London – the final two of the season – was an option we discussed at length with Wandsworth Council and means that London could well be where the inaugural champion is crowned, making it a fantastic spectacle for the city and a great platform to showcase sustainable mobility and clean energy. We will now begin preparations for bringing urban electric racing to London but of course that means working closely with all parties and local residents’ groups to ensure that we remain sympathetic to all park users.”
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Formula E is set to be a superb addition to London’s sporting calendar. The atmosphere will quite literally be electric and Battersea, which is already booming with the buzz of regeneration, will be alive with the excitement that this new, world-class event will no doubt spark.”
Deputy council leader for Wandsworth Council Jonathan Cook added: “This is great news for Battersea and for London. Our great city now has another world-class event to add to its calendar. Formula E is an incredible racing spectacle and a showcase for zero emission electric motoring. This sport is changing attitudes to electric cars and I’m delighted Battersea Park will be the backdrop for the season finale.”
In addition to the Formula E action, spectators will also get to enjoy the championship’s support race – the FE School Series – which sees children from 10 local schools compete in self-assembled electric kit cars around the full-size race track. Organised by UK charity Greenpower, the series aims to inspire young people to develop careers in engineering and sustainability.
British racing driver Sam Bird, who competes for the UK-based Virgin Racing team, said of the circuit layout: “The track is in the beautiful Battersea Park, right next to the River Thames, just across from Chelsea and with some of the most famous features of London’s skyline in the background. The layout itself seems to combine fast straights, a couple of high-speed bends, as well as some challenging chicanes and braking zones. I think the London ePrix spectators will be treated to some close, fast racing with plenty of action and overtaking. The organisers have done a good job with this layout and I can’t wait to race there, in front of my home crowd!”
For the London ePrix, Formula E will utilise MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) – the event organising division of MSV – to act as the race meeting organiser.
2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship calendar:
Round 1 Beijing ePrix, People’s Republic of China, September 13 2014
Round 2 Putrajaya ePrix, Malaysia, November 22 2014
Round 3 Punta del Este ePrix, Uruguay, December 13 2014
Round 4 Bueno Aires ePrix, Argentina, January 10 2015
Round 5 Miami ePrix, USA, March 14 2015
Round 6 Long Beach ePrix, USA, 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, UK June 27 2015*
Round 11 London ePrix, UK June 28 2015*
* Circuit layout remains subject to FIA approval and track homologation.
