Hyderabad apt to host e-Prix: Formula E Chief

The countdown to ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 8 has already started and the opening two rounds of the electric car racing event will take place at Diriyah in Soudi Arabia on January 28-29, 2022. The calendar for this season has 16 races across 10 global cities till August 14, 2022.

After this, Formula E Championship Season 9 is scheduled in between November 2022 and February 2023. Hyderabad has also been chosen as a candidate host city for the upcoming season.

In an exclusive interview, Formula E Co Founder and Chief Championship Officer Alberto Longo told Bizz Buzz how Hyderabad has become an official candidate city to host the championship over a period of just 29 days. He appreciated the rapid response from the State government and the 2.3-km long race track in the heart of the city.

How about the chances of Hyderabad to become official host city for one of the rounds in the upcoming season?

Hyderabad has all the necessary ingredients to become an official host city for one of the rounds in Formula E Championship Season 9. The city is a hub of technologies, sustainability green energy. It is a total match for the requirement of FormulaE. I think this city is meant to be a part of our next season.

What about the racing track in the city? Is the 2.3-km Hussainsagar circuit over Telugu Talli Flyover good enough for 24 electric cars to compete in a race?

The 2.3-km track the State government has proposed to us is good for a race in the next season of the championship. But we have given some changes obviously to replicate the previous season. The location of the track is fantastic and hopefully we will come here to conduct the debut all-electric street racing event in this country.

What changes are required for the proposed track in the city?

Formula E team will have a look at the track again and then come back with necessary suggestions. It is subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

How many global cities are likely to take part in the race calendar of the next season?

The race calendar of Formula E Championship Season 9 will probably have around 14-16 cities across five continents, including Americas, Europe and Asia.

We continuously monitor the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic situation with the teams, partners, broadcasters and host cities. All calendar updates depend on travel restrictions, as well as local government protocols.

What could be the viewership per race during the upcoming season?

We are expecting close to 400-500 million viewers per race on global television. The audience at the venue depends on the city. If the electric car racing event happens at Hyderabad, roughly around 15,000-18,000 spectators would be witnessing live at the location.