Formula E is set to bring electric racing back to London and the UK in July 2020. Set to take place on July 25-26, the event will utilize a unique 2.4-kilometer circuit, through the Royal Docks, with the starting grid located inside ExCeL.
ExCeL will be the new home of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in the UK as part of a multi-year agreement, with the return of unrivaled inner-city racing and entertainment in the heart of London – a market at the forefront of electric vehicle technology and the adoption of clean mobility solutions.
Jeremy Rees, chief executive officer of ExCeL London, says: “It is an honor to welcome the world’s first ever indoor and outdoor race to ExCeL London and the Royal Docks. Events at ExCeL are thriving and London provides the perfect backdrop to host global entertainment brands, such as Formula E. We look forward to working closely with Formula E to showcase the versatility of our venue, creating a truly unique experience for teams, drivers and spectators. Hosting this event, is also closely aligned with our vision to create a more sustainable venue, in the heart of one of the most exciting destinations and best connected cities in the world.”
Damian Norman, ExCeL London’s new head of events & attractions, adds: “I am delighted that Formula E have chosen ExCeL to host this very unique race. This is the start of a strategic partnership between our two organizations, with a vision to make ExCeL the home of Formula E. We look forward to working together to create an incredible championship finale.”
Alejandro Agag, founder & CEO of Formula E, says: “I’m extremely excited to be bringing the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and electric racing back to the UK. Every motorsport series would love to host an event in London – this has been our desire for quite some time now and we’re delighted to have found a new home in the Royal Docks at ExCeL London. We have a growing base of knowledgeable and passionate fans in the UK, and this race adds to a fantastic summer of sport as a world-class event we hope Londoners can be proud of. Formula E coming back to the UK extends beyond pure racing excitement, it’s also a strong message for London to tackle inner-city air pollution by promoting clean technologies and electric sustainable mobility.”
The appointment of Damian Norman marks the start of an exciting, new venture for ExCeL, which has ambitious plans for growth beyond its core business. The venue, which is already home to 400 events, welcoming 4 million people each year, hopes to attract new audiences, by working with globally recognized brands to deliver world class entertainment and attractions.
ExCeL London opened in November 2000, in an area of huge regeneration in London’s historic Royal Docks. Today, the venue hosts 400 events per year, welcoming 4 million visitors from every corner of the globe. Events hosted at ExCeL London generate £4.5bn in economic impact for London and support 37,600 jobs. Under the ownership of ADNEC, ExCeL London has seen significant investment in new facilities, including the opening of London’s International Convention Centre (ICC) and onsite hotel developments.
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is the closest, most intense and progressive category in motorsport, bringing electrifying racing to the streets against the backdrop of landmarks, skyscrapers and skylines in some of the world’s most famous and recognizable cities – such as Hong Kong, Rome, Paris and New York. For more info, visit www.FIAFormulaE.com.
Formula E enters a new and exciting era in season five with the competitive debut of the next generation car. The striking new model boasts a distinctive futuristic design and demonstrates a clear step-up in performance with almost double the energy storage capacity – allowing teams and drivers to complete a full race distance at higher speeds without needing to swap cars. The Gen2 car is a testament to the ongoing advancements in battery and electric vehicle technology in the space of only four years.
The fifth edition of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship will see 11 teams and 22 drivers tackle a variety of challenging circuits in 12 cities – across five continents – in a bid to be crowned champion. Formula E will be making its debut in the Middle East on December 15 for the season-opener in Ad Diriyah, with the championship once again coming to a close in New York City over the course of two days on July 13 & 14.
The concept of Formula E is to act as a platform to test and develop road-relevant technologies, helping refine the design and functionality of components and infrastructure – actively speeding-up the transition and uptake of electric vehicles on a global scale.
Formula E is continuing to attract some of the leading names and renowned brands in motorsport and the automotive industry. For this season, Formula E has nine manufacturers on its roster – including Nissan – taking over the existing entry from Renault – and BMW linking-up with Andretti. This number is set to rise further still, with the highly-anticipated inclusion of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in season six.
