Different team and class
Sure they can come on board...
FIA approves Formula E electric car racing
Motorsport is about to get truly green with its own international electric car series, as approved by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
The new Formula E will be Formula cars powered exclusively by electric energy and is designed to showcase a “vision for the future of the motor industry over the coming decades”, FIA says in a statement.
FIA has now signed an agreement to licence the commercial rights of the FIA Formula E Championship to a consortium of international investors, Formula E Holdings Ltd (FEH).
FEH, the new promoter, has as anchor investor; London-based entrepreneur Enrique Bañuelos, and as CEO and shareholder former MEP and racing team owner Alejandro Agag, who has a long experience in the motor sport business. Also associated with the project are former MP, Lord Drayson who is also the managing partner of Drayson Racing Technologies, and Eric Barbaroux, Chairman of the French electric automotive company "Electric Formula".
Demonstration runs of the Formula E cars are planned to start in 2013, followed by the first championship in 2014. FEH hopes that the first Formula E will feature 10 teams and 20 drivers.
The consortium also hopes to stage the races in leading cities, around their main landmarks.
Alejandro Agag, CEO of FEH said: "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."
Chas