Electric car Formula E race in London 'could draw Formula One to capital'

Big attraction: driver Sam Bird with a Formula E car at Marble Arch
Adam Warner
Tom Powell1 July 2016

The boss of Formula E hopes a race next year on the streets of London could help bring Formula One to the capital.

With the help of Mayor Sadiq Khan, organisers of the electric car race are investigating various city centre routes taking in some of the best-known landmarks such as Buckingham Palace.

Formula E returns to London tomorrow and Sunday with an end-of-season double header at Battersea Park, following a successful debut last year.

Formula E chief executive Alejandro Agag said a switch to the centre could boost plans to tempt Formula One to London. “I would love it if our move to the city centre helped Formula One do the same,” said Mr Agag, 45, a London-based Spanish businessman.

“The tracks are very different in Formula E so we wouldn’t be able to share the venue, but it could help show it can be done. We are not in competition with Formula One and it would be great to see both motorsports in the city centre.”

Formula E’s return to Battersea Park was challenged by some residents who claimed it was an inappropriate venue and disruptive. Ten teams have been competing in eight cities around the world since the season began last October. This weekend’s event is set to bring £5 million to Wandsworth and Battersea thanks to a council investment, jobs created and the money spent on site. “It’s very significant for an event that is two days’ long, and it’s only going to get bigger,” added Mr Agag.

Last year, more than 60,000 watched the first Battersea Park race on a 1.5-mile circuit. Mr Agag said: “We can see from last year that it is already getting more popular. The electronic car market is booming at the moment as well as Formula E.” The cars can go from 0-60 in three seconds and reach 140mph.

In 24 Formula E events it is yet to rain. But Mr Agag joked: “It wouldn’t be London without the rain.”

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