'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Although the first proposed calendar in March featured Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Bangkok, the provisional calendar as unveiled by Formula E earlier in the day displaced these cities with Punta del Este (Uruguay), Monte Carlo (Monaco) and Hong Kong. Formula E will kick off on September 20, 2014 at Beijing, China, with the finale scheduled at London on June 27, 2015.
Formula E has an amazing momentum as they confirmed many things in the last few weeks which has certainly created a spark among the public. This month alone, they announced that Qualcomm has been signed as the Founding Technology Partner of Formula E which would allow Qualcomm and Formula E Holdings (FEH) to showcase mobile and Electronic Vehicle Technologies that will demonstrate how the current and future generations all over the world, can benefit from wireless, sustainable technology on and off the track.
Qualcomm will advise FEH to incorporate new and sustainable technologies into the racing series. As a start of the partnership, Qualcomm Halo Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) technology will be adapted to be fitted into the 2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship safety cars so they can be wirelessly charged. The wireless charging system will be made available to the race cars from season two.
Formula E also announced that DHL would be the logistics partner. This deal would ensure that the transportation of race cars, spare parts and the lithium-ion batteries would be covered by DHL as a part of the multi-year deal.
Formula E went on to announce that Michelin has been signed as the official tyre partner of the series. Michelin unveiled an 18-inch threaded tyre that can be used in all weather conditions for optimum performance. For each event, the drivers will have three sets of tyres for both their cars, which would help in reducing the overall costs and improving the sustainability.
Further, on September 25th, Formula E confirmed the arrival of the leading Indycar outfit Dragon Racing which was headed by the media and publishing entrepreneur Jay Penske, with its headquarters based in Los Angeles. It has to be noted that the Formula E is scheduled to feature ten teams, but they will be forwarded to the FIA for final approval by its World Motor Sport Council.
With the unveiling of its provisional calendar that includes the prestigious Monte Carlo, Formula E is all geared up for its first season, which should kick off in less than a year from now.
The inaugural calendar was proposed to the FIA during its World Motor Sport Council in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and will run from September 2014 to June 2015. It was also revealed that the cities that were present in the first calendar as released in March which includes Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Bangkok will be considered as the candidate series for the future Formula E seasons.
The provisional calendar, after being considered by the FIA, will be finalised during the FIA World Motor Sport Council to be held in December. It has to be reminded that the circuits that are included in this provisional calendar are subjected to the FIA Track Homologation.
“We’re very excited to be revealing our provisional calendar today and thankful to all the cities that have agreed to host our Formula E races, as well as those that had shown interest. Since launching the Championship last year we have received formal offers from more than 25 cities all over the world, making choosing just 10 very difficult indeed. Today’s provisional calendar sees us race in the heart of some of the most well known cities in the world, providing a fantastic backdrop and showcasing electric vehicles in their favoured urban environments. We will now focus on finalising the design of each of the circuits as well as working closely with all our partners to ensure we deliver each of these events in the most sustainable way possible.
“To be in this position with one year still to go until the first race is a testament to the interest Formula E is generating around the world and the commitment cities have shown to clean mobility and sustainability, not to mention all the hard work undertaken by our Operations Team. Today is a very exciting day for the future of motorsport and we can’t wait for the first race to begin!” – Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoters Formula E Holdings
It was recently announced that the race at Berlin will take place on a custom made circuit built within the ‘Apron’ section of the former Tempelhof Airport. Almost all the locations are picked strategically, though Putrajaya (Malaysia), Punta del Este (Uruguay) and Buenos Aires (Argentina) are the more intriguing locations.
Calendar
20 September 2014 - Beijing, China*
18 October 2014 - Putrajaya, Malaysia
8 November 2014 - Hong Kong
13 December 2014 - Punta del Este, Uruguay
10 January 2015 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
14 February 2015 - Los Angeles, USA
18 April 2015 - Miami, USA
9 May 2015 - Monte Carlo, Monaco*
30 May 2015 - Berlin, Germany
27 June 2015 - London, UK
All events remain subject to FIA Track Homologation* Subject to ASN approval
