Exclusive: Brussels pushing for spot on Formula E calendar

A delegation representing Brussels’ application attended the London ePrix to meet the organisers of the series to tackle the numerous logistic, financial and lobbying issues to push the city into next season's calendar.

One of the seven delegates from the Brussels sports committee told Motorsport.com that the Belgian city is keen on bringing the sport into its streets and is launching a feasibility study with its own advisors and the Formula E urban organisation specialists.

The attempt to organise a race in Belgium is part of a global policy aiming at several major sport events to promote Brussels and its region.

"The main issue is the date," our source told us. “There’s obviously the Le Mans 24 Hours that you cannot move, and the idea is to insert the event between the Moscow and London ePrix in June."

However, Motorsport.com understands that the logistical issues currently are the most important to evaluate for the delegation, in order to analyse the feasibility of the project as early as next season – depending on the promoter’s willingness to accommodate the event.

A specific spot already in mind

"Brussels is a very pedestrian city, often paved in the city centre, so there is no way we are going to invest in resurfacing. We need to find a place that’s adapted and iconic, so we’re thinking of the surroundings of the Atomium,” our source explained.

“We probably are in competition with [Swiss city] Lausanne, possibly Berlin, for Formula E organisers are not happy with what they saw there.

“It was not the image they wanted for the series. Generally, they do not want more than sixteen events on the calendar.”

Apart from Brussels’ possible arrival, the season two provisional calendar submitted to the FIA is thought to feature 12 events, including the additions of Paris in April and Mexico City early in the season.

Story by Guillaume Navarro, translated by Benjamin Vinel