2014. január 8., szerda

Teams

The inaugural season will see 10 teams, each with two drivers, competing in the 2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship. All teams - coming from a variety of top, global championships - have now been announced (see below) and will now be submitted to the FIA for final approval by its World Motor Sport Council.
It will be down to the individual teams to select their drivers but they're expected to bring with them a high-profile international background gained from the likes of IndyCar, GP2 and Formula One.
For the inaugural season, each team will run four Spark-Renault SRT_01E single-seaters, two per driver, with the cars being transported to and from each race venue by Formula E. This, in addition to the cars being housed at a central workshop, is designed to reduce running costs along with measures such as restricting the number of team personnel, fixing the car's gear ratios, and not having in-race tyre changes in order to reduce the need for expensive pit stop equipment.
Formula E is also an 'open championship' allowing teams to design and develop their own cars - in accordance to the technical specifications set out by the FIA - and showcasing their electrical energy innovations in a competitive, racing environment.

Round 1|13 September 2014

Beijing, China

Location: Southeast Asia
Currency: Renminbi
Official Languages: Chinese (Mandarin) and Cantonese
City population: 20 million

Destination Guide

With a history spanning more than 3,000 years, Beijing has been an integral part of China's history. As the capital of the People's Republic of China it is one of the most populous and visited cities in the world and regarded as the political, educational and cultural centre of this great nation. For visitors there is so much to see and do with almost every major building boasting some national historical significance together with a wonderful array of attractions, including the iconic Great Wall of China, and making Beijing a truly world class international destination.

Az eddigi veresenynaptár

Rio returns as Formula E confirms inaugural calendar

Formula E Holdings, promoters of the new FIA Formula E Championship, today (4 December) confirmed its 2014/2015 calendar featuring 10 city-centre events spanning four continents.
The calendar was submitted to the FIA during its World Motor Sport Council in Paris, France, and will run from September 2014 to June 2015. Beijing will remain as the host venue for the world’s first ever fully-electric race commencing on 13th September 2014 – one week earlier than previously planned.
After the opening round in Beijing, the 10 teams and 20 drivers will remain in Asia for Round 2 with Putrajaya, the federal administrative centre of Malaysia on 18th October 2014. Round 3 will now see the championship head to Rio de Janeiro, the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro and the second largest city of Brazil. Rio replaces Hong Kong which will instead be considered as a candidate city for the following Formula E seasons.
From here, the series continues in South America with Round 4 in Punta del Este, Uruguay, on 13th December 2014 before starting the New Year in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for Round 5 on 10th January. The championship then heads to North America for Rounds 6 and 7 with Los Angeles on 14th February 2015 and Miami now brought forward to 14th March 2015.
The season then moves to Europe for the final three rounds beginning with Monte Carlo, Monaco, on 9th May 2015 followed by the German capital of Berlin on 30th May 2015 where the former airport of Tempelhof has already been revealed as the circuit location. The inaugural season then reaches its climax in London, United Kingdom, on 27th June 2015.
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings, said: “It’s a great feeling to be able to confirm our calendar for the inaugural Formula E season and we’re very thankful to all the cities, and candidate cities, for showing their commitment to sustainable mobility. The level of interest we have received from cities all over the globe has been overwhelming and choosing the final 10 has been a challenging and meticulous process. We’re confident our final 10 cities will provide an array of fantastic backdrops to showcase electric cars in their favoured urban environments, as well as allow us to put on a great spectacle for the fans.”
All Formula E events will feature a free practice session, qualifying session, one-hour race and live music concert taking place in a single day (Saturday) in order to minimise disruption to the city and its surrounding areas. Precise circuit layouts for each venue will be revealed at a later stage but all will use city-centre locations. Tickets for the first rounds will go on sale in 2014.

2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship – Calendar

ROUND	CITY	DATE
Round 1	Beijing, China	13th September 2014
Round 2	Putrajaya, Malaysia	18th October 2014
Round 3	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	15th November 2014
Round 4	Punta del Este, Uruguay	13th December 2014
Round 5	Buenos Aires, Argentina	10th January 2015
Round 6	Los Angeles, USA	14th February 2015
Round 7	Miami, USA	14th March 2015
Round 8	Monte Carlo, Monaco	9th May 2015
Round 9	Berlin, Germany	30th May 2015
Round 10	London, UK	27th June 2015

* All events remain subject to FIA Track Homologation.

Leonardo DiCaprio & Venturi Automobiles team-up to launch tenth and final Formula E team

Venturi Automobiles today (9 December) announced a joint venture with award-winning actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio to enter a team in the new FIA Formula E Championship - the world’s first fully-electric race series beginning in September 2014.
Based in Monaco, the new Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team has been co-founded by DiCaprio and Gildo Pallanca Pastor, founder of pioneering EV manufacturer Venturi Automobiles, together with Bert Hedaya and Francesco Costa.
Formula E is a new FIA Championship using electric single-seater race cars capable of speeds in excess of 225km/h. The series will compete in the heart of 10 of the world's leading cities including Beijing, Los Angeles and London. Ten teams, each with two drivers, will go head-to-head to create a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fan whilst accelerating the electric vehicle market and promoting sustainability.
“The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles,” DiCaprio said. “Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort.”
Venturi Grand Prix will now be put forward to the FIA for approval as the tenth and final team to enter the new zero emission series. They join international names from around the globe with IndyCar outfits Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing, Asia’s China Racing, Super Aguri and Mahindra Racing, and European squads Drayson Racing, e.dams, Audi Sport ABT and Virgin Racing.
The team is centred around the award-winning Venturi Automobiles, a leader in high performance electric vehicles developing a range of sports, urban and utilitarian cars, as well as being the current holders of the world land speed record for an electric vehicle with 495kph (307mph). The team also plans to become a constructor from the second season, building its own Formula E car using a powertrain based on the one used in its 3,000hp electric streamliner - Venturi VBB-3 - unveiled earlier this year in Wendover, Utah, by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
“Venturi has been a pioneer in electric high performance vehicles for more than a decade and Formula E gives us the fantastic opportunity to further improve our advanced technologies through motorsport, as well as compete all over the world,” said Gildo. “It also gives us the chance to be part of a new racing programme with a project that really shares Venturi’s values for clean mobility, innovation in the field of electric propulsion and energy efficiency optimisation.”
“It’s an honour and a pleasure to welcome the Venturi Grand Prix team as the tenth and final team of the FIA Formula E Championship,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings. “Gildo is a true pioneer in electric racing. From the desert of Salt Lake to Antarctica, his passion and vision pushes forward the technology barriers of what can be done with an electric car. But Gildo is not alone in this venture. Global entrepreneurs Francesco Costa and Bert Hedaya bring great experience and energy to the team.
“And of course, I want to give a very special welcome to our Championship to Leonardo DiCaprio. Very few environmental leaders have helped more than him to spread the message of sustainability around the world. Having people like him and Richard Branson - global ambassadors for the environment - is a privilege for our Championship and will greatly help us to spread the use of electric cars in cities around the planet.”
For more information on Leonardo DiCaprio visit www.leonardodicaprio.com. More information on Venturi can be found at www.venturicars.com
Photo caption (l-r): Bert Hedaya, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gildo Pallanca Pastor and Francesco Costa.

2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship – Teams

1	Drayson Racing Formula E Team	UK
2	China Racing Formula E Team	China
3	Andretti Autosport Formula E Team	USA
4	Dragon Racing Formula E Team	USA
5	e.dams Formula E Team	France
6	Super Aguri Formula E Team	Japan
7	Audi Sport ABT Formula E Team	Germany
8	Mahindra Racing Formula E Team	India
9	Virgin Racing Formula E Team	UK
10	Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team	Monaco

Causeway Media Partners to make multi-million investment in Formula E

Wyc Grousbeck, lead owner of NBA basketball team the Boston Celtics, together with his Causeway Media Partners have today (20 December) announced a multi-million investment in Formula E Holdings, series promoters of the new FIA Formula E Championship.
Formula E is a new FIA championship and the world’s first fully-electric racing series. Beginning in September 2014, the championship will compete on 10 city-centre circuits around the globe including two races in the US – Miami and Los Angeles – which take place in the Spring of 2015. Ten teams, each with two drivers, will go head-to-head to create a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fan, whilst accelerating the electric vehicle market and promoting sustainability.
Today’s announcement will also see Wyc Grousbeck serve on the Board of Directors at Formula E Holdings who were appointed series promoters of the championship in August 2012 by the FIA.
Grousbeck co-founded Causeway Media Partners in May 2013 with long-time investing partners, Bob Higgins and Mark Wan. The fund has also received personal backing from a number of NFL and NBA team owners, including the Boston Celtics ownership group he leads, as well as leading figures from the private equity and media worlds.
Wyc Grousbeck said: “I am happy to announce that Causeway Media Partners has brought its deep network of NBA and NFL owners, as well as media executives and renowned investors, to Formula E. We believe Formula E is a great evolutionary step in motorsport and a way to entertain millions around the world while driving the development of the best possible electric vehicles.
“It is a privilege to be in a partnership with Formula E’s Alejandro Agag and Enrique Bañuelos, as well as with world-class partners such as FOX Sports, Virgin Racing, Audi Sport ABT, TAG Heuer, Michelin and Renault. We aim to help make Formula E a worldwide sensation, with a focus on the development of high-speed electric racing in the United States. With our upcoming races in the centres of Los Angeles and Miami, we will help showcase the power and promise of sustainable vehicle technology, while entertaining millions.
“Causeway's mission is to find investment opportunities that benefit from our deep network of NBA and NFL team owners, media executives and professional investors. Formula E is a perfect match. At Causeway, we know the power of competition and entertainment, and will bring our knowledge to the development of the market for electric vehicles.”
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings, said: “We’re extremely happy to welcome Wyc Grousbeck and his Causeway Media Partners as a shareholder of Formula E and know they will prove to be a great asset to the development of the series. Wyc brings with him extensive knowledge and experience of the US sports market which of course remains a key area for Formula E given we have two US-based teams, two US cities, broadcaster FOX Sports, and of course the US’s ever expanding Electric Vehicle market.
“Today’s news is also another significant step in the growth of Formula E. Earlier this year we announcement our 10-race calendar and also our 10 teams which includes worldwide names in motorsport such as Michael Andretti [Andretti Autosport] and Jay Penske [Dragon Racing], through to global environmentalists like Sir Richard Branson [Virgin Racing] and Leonardo DiCaprio [Venturi Grand Prix].”
He added: “I have also personally known Wyc for many years and know he’s going to make a huge contribution to our Board of Directors and the direction of the FIA Formula E Championship.”

Merry Christmas from FIA Formula E

The last 12 months have been a very exciting time here at Formula E. At the beginning of the year we had no calendar and no teams and one year later we have 10 fantastic cities and 10 incredible teams. We also have a state-of-the-art fully-electric race car – the Spark-Renault SRT_01E – our host broadcaster Aurora, two television broadcasters in FOX Sports and TV Asahi and, of course, lot’s more to come!

2014 will certainly be a very busy time for Formula E as we prepare for the world’s first fully-electric race on 13th September 2014 in Beijing. Until then we have plenty more to announce from all 20 drivers to all 10 circuit layouts so be sure to keep visiting our website for more details.

Thank you for all your support in 2013 and here’s to a great 2014.

Merry Christmas!