New DelhiFormula E will make its way to India for the first time ever with a race slated to take place in Hyderabad on February 11 next year, organizers have confirmed.
The Hyderabad race will be the first time a major international racing event has been held in the country since the October 2013 Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit, a development reported by PTI earlier this month.
In addition to India, Brazil will also welcome the E-Prix for the first time on March 25, as Formula E and FIA announce the provisional calendar for the upcoming ninth season (2022-23).
“Two major motorsport fan bases will welcome the E-Prix for the first time. Round 4 of the championship will be held in Hyderabad, India, on February 11, while fans in Brazil will see the Sao Paulo E-Prix on March 25 for round 7,” a press release said.
Earlier this year, the Telangana government and Formula E officials had signed a letter of intent (LoI) in Hyderabad to host the race.
The Telangana government plans to turn the state into a hub for EV vehicles and the Formula E race will go a long way towards achieving that goal.
The race should also give a big boost to Indian motorsport, which is in dire need of a high-profile event since Formula 1 was scrapped after three seasons.
Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, Formula E said: The Season 9 calendar of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is our most comprehensive and dynamic race schedule yet and I can’t wait to get started.
“We will continue to push the international boundaries of all-electric street racing with E-Prix in Hyderabad and Sao Paulo, while retaining the hugely popular races in Diriyah, Mexico City, Berlin, Monaco, Rome and London with Jakarta and Seoul. recorded on the calendar.”
“We are also working hard to include Cape Town and a race in the US when the provisional calendar is updated later this year.”
Berlin remains the only city to host an E-Prix in all nine seasons of the championship, while Seoul and Jakarta will see Formula E again after the inaugural races this season.
Jakarta will host an extensive double-header of races next season.
Diriyah in Saudi Arabia will host the popular double-header of night races on January 27 and 28. While Monaco, Rome and London complete the schedule of named races.
The FIA-approved world championship has grown rapidly over the years and has a presence from the world’s leading car manufacturers including Mercedes, Porsche, Nissan and Mahindra Racing of India, which has been part of the all-electric vehicle since its inception in 2014 series.
Karun Chandhok is the only Indian driver to have raced in the competition.
The race calendar mainly consists of makeshift street circuits that are public roads on other days.
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