The countdown begins: The ABB FIA Formula E Championship returns to the UK capital in 12 months time for the 2019/20 season finale. 24 cars and drivers going head-to-head in the historical heartland of the city's docklands on July 25 & 26, 2020. London, we're coming for you.
To celebrate the start of the 12-month countdown to the 2020 London E-Prix and grand finale of the 2019/20 season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, we pulled the covers off a brand new Union Jack liveried Gen2 car and a unique pop-up event activation at ExCeL London.
"We’re excited to be bringing the future of motorsport to the UK capital and believe that the London E-Prix will become one of the flagship events in global motorsport, right up there with the likes of Monaco, Macau and Le Mans."- Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E
Racing around the city's iconic Royal Docks and ExCeL London exhibition centre, the race will be the first time that an FIA-sanctioned championship event has taken place in and around the streets of London - with Crystal Palace hosting non-championship races in Formula One almost half a century ago.
Consisting of 20 turns, the 2.4km track will see the drivers run along the waterfront for the season finale double-header of the 2019/20 campaign on July 25 & 26, 2020.
With 24 all-electric cars going head-to-head, the London race will be a first for top-level international motorsport. Made possible by the emissions-free nature of the Gen2 cars, the unique track weaves its way both inside and outside of ExCeL London.
Celebrating the start of the 12-month countdown, a pop-up event space was revealed in the West entrance of the ExCeL London centre, where fans can learn all about the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, what to expect at the event and register for tickets ahead of the first release.
“This is the first time that a championship event has been staged in and around the streets of London and it’s a race that any category would be proud to have on its calendar. But only the ABB FIA Formula E Championship can, because our cars are fully-electric and emissions-free," said Agag.
“Fans can expect a great spectator experience - just 18-minutes from the city centre on public transport - and our ambition is for ExCeL London to become the home of Formula E in the UK for many years to come, as well as the London E-Prix featuring as a mainstay of a British summer of sport. We want it to become a must-attend event that you just can’t miss out on, like Wimbledon, Royal Ascot and the Lord’s Test Match.
“The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is about bringing motorsport to the masses, with wheel-to-wheel action, affordable ticket prices and unpredictable racing. That’s not something that can be said about other series right now, and Formula E is putting the sport back into motorsport," added the Formula E boss.
Created by car customiser and personality Yiannimize, a bespoke, Union Jack liveried Gen2 car was revealed one year out to mark the occasion. With 250kW of power, Formula E's Gen2 will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.8-seconds and go on to a top speed of 280km/h. Greater speeds, more action on track and with just one car per driver - there's everything to lose.
Due to its all-electric powertrain, the cars all 24 cars and drivers are able to race both inside and outside the ExCeL London exhibition centre, tackling the unique, indoor/outdoor 2.4km track on the 25 & 26 July, 2020.
"We are delighted that the ABB FIA Formula E Championship is coming to London. London is not only a diverse and cosmopolitan city but thanks to its Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zones, designed to minimise pollution, it’s a genuine showcase for EV solutions."
"As an expert in electrification and the world leader in electric-vehicle charging solutions, with more than 11,000 fast-charging stations sold in 76 countries around the world, ABB is proud to present the London E-Prix as the pinnacle of what’s achievable when it comes to E-mobility. So today we start the countdown to next year’s London E-Prix at the ExCeL London” - Michael Bartlett, Director of Corporate Communications ABB UK
After announcing plans to ban the sale of all combustion engined cars by 2040 in the UK, the E-Prix in the country's capital will help to promote the adoption and development of electric road cars.
With 11 of the world's greatest car manufacturers going head to head on the city streets, the Championship serves as a test bed for everyday electric road car technology.
Standing as a home E-Prix for British teams Envision Virgin Racing and Panasonic Jaguar Racing, the London race could see all five current British Formula E drivers go head-to-head on home turf.
"As the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, with a rich heritage in motorsport, a race in the capital will be a real highlight next season and exciting news for all British motorsport fans and our thousands of employees here in the UK," said James Barclay, Team Principal of Panasonic Jaguar Racing.
“Formula E allows us to race on street circuits in the most iconic cities around the world showcasing the sustainability and performance benefits of battery electric vehicles. We’re excited and proud to be able bring the championship and our team to race in front of a home crowd. The unique indoor/outdoor track around the Royal Docks and ExCeL is sure to be a great venue to finish the season and showcase this fantastic championship that goes from strength to strength,” added the team boss.