Cape Town’s first Formula E race has been postponed to 2023 due to the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic that continue to be felt in South Africa and internationally.
“While we are of course disappointed to postpone our first race in Cape Town, we have received a hugely positive response from those in our ecosystem, all of which are excited to visit. Over the past 18 months we have learnt to be dynamic and flexible when delivering the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and we look forward to working alongside our local partners to experience Cape Town when delivering its maiden race in 2023,” co-founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E Alberto Longo, said.
Formula E revealed a provisional calendar for its eighth season in early July, with South Africa set to make its debut alongside Vancouver and Seoul. However, due to the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic globally, Formula E and e-Movement (Pty) Ltd have agreed to postpone the city’s inaugural race to 2023 pending FIA World Motor Sport Council confirmation (in 2022).
e-Movement (Pty) Ltd and Formula E entered into a multi-year agreement to host the world’s only all-electric FIA World Championship in 2021 and remain committed to delivering a world-class event.
“We have signed a long-term agreement with Formula E to stage the Cape Town E-Prix and look forward to delivering a marquee event for many years to come,” Iain Banner, the Chairman of race promoters e-Movement (Pty) Ltd, said.
“Bringing the Formula E to South Africa has always been part of a broader vision to accelerate the transformation of the Cape and South Africa into an innovation hub that can drive the renewable energy and mobility transition across the continent and make sure it remains relevant and positioned to thrive over the next 50 years.”
Due to the postponement of the inaugural Cape Town ePrix, eMovement (Pty) Ltd has laid out its plans for 2022, including the track reveal and an e-Investment seminar to map out a 10-year program.
Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato said, “When we evaluated Formula E, we found that it fits the City of Cape Town’s objectives including job creation, entrepreneurial opportunities for locals, destination marketing, and massive economic impact.”
“The City of Cape Town views Formula E as one of the key events that could go a long way in being catalyst in the long-term recovery as well as the sustainability of the events and tourism industries. We are committed to working with e-Movement to ensure that Cape Town is ready to host this exciting race event in 2023.”
The story was written by Junaid Samodien – https://slipstreamsa.blogspot.com/
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