Formula E launches in Europe

The FIA's new Formula E electric vehicle racing series moved a step closer to reality yesterday with a launch in Rome, which will become the second world city - and the first in Europe - to host a round after Rio de Janeiero.

FIA president Jean Todt and Formula E's CEO Alejandro Agag attended the event hosted by the Mayor of Rome. The inaugural series in 2014 will feature ten races, so there are eight more slots to be filled by host cities in the coming months. There will be ten teams entered, with 20 drivers and 40 cars between them.

The cars will accelerate from 0-100km/h in under three seconds and will have a top speed of 220km/h.

A prototype of the Formula E car was on display; the series will launch with cars supplied to Formula E, by Frederic Vasseur's Spark Technology with power trains from McLaren. But the intention is to have teams designing and building their own cars and drive-trains so that the competition will drive development of the technology. Formula E will provide the platform for innovation in this emerging area of motorsports technology.

"Urban mobility and sustainability are a priority for our Championship," said Agag. "And Formula E wants to become a showcase for these advances through an entertaining and all-inclusive spectacle."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments