Formula E enters India: Hyderabad to host race in February 2023 (Update)

Hyderabad is all set to host Formula E next year and the race circuit has impressed a Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) official who was on a two-day visit to the city for inspection at the street racing circuit.

The season finale of the Indian Racing League (IRL) ended on Sunday with Godspeed Kochi winning the championship title, and the FIA official left India after witnessing the final that saw almost zero fans show up.

On a cool and overcast Saturday, a handful of die-hard racing fans swallowed yet another ‘cancellation pill’, as the qualification race for the Indian Racing League (IRL) season finale was called off.

“An FIA inspector was present to inspect the track and was happy with the circuit. He was on a two-day visit during the weekend and suggested some very small changes which we will carry out in the coming days,” Manoj Dalal, a Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) official told  The Hindu in an exclusive interaction.

“The official was very much happy with the facilities in and around the circuit, the track infrastructure and will now submit his report to the FIA. We are hopeful of getting a Grade-2 certificate and are awaiting the green signal,” Mr.Manoj informed.

“All the safety parameters were in place at the circuit and it’s a fabulous race track for the drivers. From a safety point of view to debris fencing the barriers, everything is in place and today’s race was really good. It was planned well and there were eight fully equipped ambulances ready in case of a medical emergency, and the firefighting equipment is brilliant. Overall, we have the infrastructure and everything that is required to host an international race. We are well equipped to host Formula-E in February,” the FMSCI official said.

Formula E will make its way to India for the first time ever with a race scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on February 11 next year, the organizers have confirmed.

The race in Hyderabad will be the first time a major international racing event is held in the country since the Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix in October 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit in Delhi.

Alongside India, Brazil will also welcome the E-Prix for the first time on March 25 as the Formula E and FIA released the provisional calendar for the upcoming ninth season (2022-23).

“Two major motorsport fanbases will welcome E-Prix for the first time. Round 4 of the championship will be held in Hyderabad, India, on 11 February, while fans in Brazil will see the Sao Paulo E-Prix on 25 March for Round 7,” a media release stated.

Earlier this year, the Telangana government and Formula E officials had signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) in Hyderabad to host the race. The Telangana government intends to make the state a hub for EV vehicles and the Formula E race will go a long way in helping it achieve that goal.

The race should also provide a big boost to Indian motorsports which has been in dire need of a high-profile event since Formula 1 was scrapped after three seasons.

Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, Formula E said: “The Season 9 calendar of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is our most expansive and dynamic racing schedule yet and I cannot wait to get started.

“We will continue to push the international boundaries of all-electric street racing with E-Prix in Hyderabad and Sao Paulo, while maintaining the hugely-popular races in Diriyah, Mexico City, Berlin, Monaco, Rome and London with Jakarta and Seoul now established on the calendar.”

The FIA sanctioned world championship has grown rapidly over the years and has the presence of the world’s leading auto makers including Mercedes, Porsche, Nissan and India’s Mahindra Racing, which has been part of the all-electric series since its inception back in 2014.

Karun Chandhok is the only Indian driver to have raced in the competition.

Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, Formula E said:

“The Season 9 calendar of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is our most expansive and dynamic racing schedule yet and I cannot wait to get started. We will continue to push the international boundaries of all-electric street racing with E-Prix in Hyderabad and São Paulo, while maintaining the hugely-popular races in Diriyah, Mexico City, Berlin, Monaco, Rome and London with Jakarta and Seoul now established on the calendar. We are also working hard to include Cape Town and a race in the USA when the provisional calendar is updated later this year.”

As well as the arrival of the much-anticipated Gen3 race car – the world’s first net zero carbon race car in the world’s first net zero carbon sport – the Formula E grid will be formed from 12 teams and 24 drivers.

From next season the only place to see new arrivals McLaren Racing, Maserati and ABT go head-to-head with historic motorsport names including Porsche, Jaguar and Nissan is on the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship grid.

Jamie Reigle, Chief Executive Officer, Formula E said:

“From Round 1 in Mexico City to the climax of Season 9 in London, the stage is set for the most successful Formula E season yet. Engineers and sustainability experts at the FIA and Formula E have worked together to build the Gen3, a race car that proves how high performance and sustainablity can powerfully co-exist without compromise. We welcome Maserati back to motorsport for the first time in decades alongside McLaren Racing and the incredible roster of teams and manufacturers that makes Formula E unique. We expect Season 9 to continue our momentum of growing the global fanbase for the sport.”

Season 9 Provisional Calendar: