The Federation Internationale de Automobile (FIA) has reached an agreement with the city of Rio de Janeiro to host the first Formula E Championship, featuring Formula cars powered exclusively by electric energy, in 2014. At a recent meeting the city’s Mayor declared the proposed urban track near the Gloria Marina “spectacular.”

Promoting the event will be Formula E Holdings Ltd (FEH), a consortium of investors and motorsports magnates, including former MEP and racing team owner Alejandro Agag. Also associated with the project are Lord Drayson of Drayson Racing Technologies, and Eric Barbaroux, Chairman of French EV company Electric Formula.

Demonstrations of the Formula E cars will start in 2013, and the series will be open to any cars sanctioned as Formula E by the FIA. 10 teams and 20 drivers will be racing. FEH will make a Formula E Car, based on the Formulec EF 01 prototype already in operation, available for teams wishing to race with it.

FIA President Jean Todt said, “this new competition at the heart of major cities is certain to attract a new audience. We are pleased with this agreement with Formula E Holdings as they bring a very strong experience in Motorsport. The new events will provide a great way to engage the younger generation. This spectacular series will offer both entertainment and a new opportunity to share FIA values with a wide audience as clean energy, mobility and sustainability. This is a great day and a strong message to the motor sport community. The FIA is definitely looking to the future!”

FEH CEO Alejandro Agag said, “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.”  

www.formulaeholdings.com

Image: Drayson Rracing