Formula E Competition Set to Hit the Race Track in 2014
The Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile (FIA) announced on Monday the start of an electric car racing championship competition, similar to the Formula 1 series, which will start in 2014.
According to the press release, the deal will allow a consortium of investors known as Formula E Holdings to spearhead the venture. The new racing competition is expected to have ten teams with twenty drivers, the statement said. Demonstrations of Formula E races will commence in 2013, with the full-fledged championship in 2014.
Among those a part of the consortium are: Entrepreneur Enrique Banuelos, Lord Drayson of Drayson Racing Technologies, Alejandro Agag, a former European Member of Parliament (MEP) and now Chief Executive Officer of Formula E Holdings, and Eric Barbaroux of Electric Formula in France.
“I would like to thank all the parties involved. This new competition at the heart of major cities is certain to attract a new audience, “said Jean Todt, FIA President in the statement about the new venture.
“We are pleased with this agreement with Formula E Holdings as they bring a very strong experience in motor sport. This spectacular series will offer both entertainment and a new opportunity to share the FIA values and objectives of clean energy, mobility and sustainability with a wider and younger audience as well.”
Alejandro Agag is very optimistic as well, as indicated below:
“We are very pleased with the agreement reached with FIA. We see this as a great opportunity to create a new and exciting spectacle mixing racing, clean energy and sustainability, looking to the future. We expect this Championship to become the framework for research and development around the electric car, a key element for the future of our cities.”
Agag also mentioned in a question and answer brief the three goals to come out of the new Formula E series, which include 1) strong racing fun for fans, 2) a backbone for research and development in electric vehicles (EV’s), and 3) helping the public to see that EV’s can work!
Already, Formula E is not sitting back. The consortium already has its first host city in 2014. Rio De Janeiro, will be a host to one of the races.
Hopefully, this announcement will be remembered as a game changer in making motor sports more environmentally sustainable.
Sources: FIA, Formula E Holdings
Image Source: Marussia F1 Team Image courtesy of Shutterstock
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