Logistical Reasons Could Push London Formula E Race To The End Of 2015 Schedule (Update)

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Formula E, the world's first series for open-wheel single-seater electric race cars, has delayed what would be its inaugural race in London until 2015 due to planning and logistical hurdles.

The series launches next year and the U.K. capital was due to host the opening round in September 2014. However, when the Formula E calendar is announced on Friday, Beijing will be revealed as the season-opener with London becoming the final race in 2015.

Formula E is ready and able to hold its first race in London but Alejandro Agag, chief executive of the series, says that progress “is very slow because there are so many layers. It is not the mayor who controls this, it is the borough. For logistical reasons it is better to start in a continent and stay in the same continent anyway, so we are putting together all of the races in Europe. London now looks like it is going to be the closing race in 2015."

All of the Formula E races will be held on city streets, and many are in exotic destinations such as Los Angeles, Miami, Rome and Rio de Janeiro. Agag revealed that he has identified three locations for the race in London, and says that he “is looking at Wembley as well as Westminster and the Olympic Park in Stratford." Stratford put its name on the map during last summer's Olympic Games, the borough of Westminster is famous for being the location of Big Ben, and Wembley is the site of the U.K.'s national sports stadium.

09/23/13 Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said that London will likely not host a race in '14 and "now looks like it is going to be the closing race in 2015," according to Christian Sylt of the London INDEPENDENT.

The new Formula E electric racing series "will launch in September next year and has cars with a top speed of 150mph." All of the races will be held on city streets, and Agag said "he is looking at Wembley as well as Westminster and the Olympic Park in Stratford."

However, the decision on where to host the London race "is taking longer than anticipated and when Formula E announces its inaugural calendar on Friday next week it will reveal that London is not the season-opener as expected."

When the list of host cities was announced in March, London Mayor Boris Johnson said, "Zero-emission world-class motor racing is a scintillating concept, and I am hugely keen that London be involved in the birth of Formula E."

Formula E "is ready and able to hold its first race in London." But Agag said that progress "is very slow because there are so many layers."

He added, "It is not the Mayor who controls this, it is the borough. For logistical reasons, it is better to start in a continent and stay in the same continent, so we are putting together all of the races in Europe. London now looks like it is going to be the closing race in 2015."

Agag said that "the curtain-raiser will instead take place in Beijing." INDEPENDENT