FE Talk: Season Six to End in September; Permanent Tracks to be Used

Founder and current chairman of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, Alejandro Agag, has confirmed that the season must be completed by September as well as the use of permanent race tracks rather than street circuits.

Five races have taken place in season six of the series with Antonio Felix Da Costa leading the championship. The season is suspended indefinitely following the postponement of ePrix in Sanya, Rome, Paris, Seoul and Jakarta.

Berlin, New York and London remain on the schedule but all are in doubt not only due to the pandemic but logistical problems too.

Agag has told Italian media that they hope to get racing in July with Berlin Tempelhof circuit the only track remaining that will be used should the season restart: “We have kept Berlin on the calendar in hope but also because it is not on the roads but the Tempelhof Airport.

“Then we are thinking of having six to seven races, but on permanent circuits. To set up an event on street circuits requires notice (whereas) everything can be done in a timely manner on permanent tracks.

“We are working with organisers from the countries which had scheduled races, including Italy as well as races in Spain or Portugal.” – Alejandro Agag

The season is scheduled to end on 26 July in London but Agag says the season will certainly go beyond that date.

Formula E’s Gen 2 EVO World Championship car was set to make its debut next season but this prospect might be delayed by a year:

“We will use the current single-seaters longer, it might be that Gen 2 EVO enters the scene later than expected. We will have to use a lot of common sense.”

Agag says races behind closed doors are possible and that he is aware of the role sport plays in terms of its social value.

It is clear that Alejandro Agag has a plan on what he expects to happen with Formula E over the next few months and what happens when racing does resume.

Racing on permanent tracks is a huge story. It is a sensible decision with the current climate.

You would think Formula E will try to avoid racing on the same circuits as Formula One to avoid any negative press. Shorter or alternative layouts may be used and the championship can race on FIA Grade 2 or 3 tracks which is the level most Formula E tracks are homologated at.

However, the question remains whether FE can book these circuits without a prior arrangement, especially as circuits are likely to be fully operational to complete the rest of the motorsport season as quickly as possible.

Without doubt, should racing on permanent circuits be a success, we will see less street tracks on future calendars which has always been a big talking point with Formula E.