The 2020/21 Saudi Arabia double-header weekend becomes a night event, which will be a first in the FIA Formula E Championship.
Formula E has been trying to host a night event for some time now and it will become a reality when the 2020/21 season travels to Ad Diriyah in Saudi Arabia for its second round. The double-header event on February 26-27 will be the series’ first night event.
The series has found a low consumption LED solution, which will be powered by fully renewable energy, thereby making a night event in Formula E, a reality. It will reduce energy consumption by up to fifty per cent compared to non-LED technologies.
Upon the announcement, Alberto Longo, Co-founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E, said: “We are very proud to partner with Saudi to create Formula E’s first ever night race. I am confident the race will be spectacular and lead to a style of competitive action we haven’t seen before.
“As with everything we do, our first thought was about how to bring our sporting vision to life in a sustainable way. Before we innovate our racing product we must be confident we can maintain the standards of sustainable practice we hold ourselves accountable to.”
On the organiser side, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, the Minister of Sport, said: “In 2018 the ancient historical city of Diriyah made history in hosting the first fully-electric race on the streets of the region. The debut event sparked so much joy and energy to our sporting journey and was one of a number of major sporting firsts that have since inspired our people and helped to shine a spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s massive transformation under the Kingdom’s vision 2030.
“In 2019 Diryah was the first to host back to back races during a race weekend and now once again we will make sporting history. It is very fitting that a place so ancient will showcase the latest in sustainable technology as Diriyah lights up to shine bright for the world to see. We look forward to the dramatic racing and incredible scenes that are guaranteed to unfold under the lights.”
While, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, added: “The inaugural Diriyah E-Prix was the Kingdom’s first major international event, last year it became the middle east’s first double-header and in February, it will be the first ever night race for the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, we’re really proud of this. Saudi Arabia is on a journey of embracing renewable energy and technology, and Formula E is more than just a race to be the best, it’s a partnership committed to the future of sustainable technology.”
At the same time, Carlo Boutagy, CEO of CBX the Official Promoter, stated: “With the circular economy being a key pillar of Vision 2030, we are thrilled to be quite literally shining a light on sustainability through hosting Formula E’s first ever night race. As a Promoter, the fan experience is at the forefront of our event and we always aim to raise the bar year on year, and we have no doubt that the Diriyah E-Prix will be a spectacle unlike any other.”
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