First fully-electric single-seater racing series to host inaugural Marrakesh ePrix
20 drivers go head-to-head the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan The 2016-17 FIA Formula E Championship heads to Africa this weekend for the second round of the season, the inaugural Marrakesh ePrix (12 November), introducing all-electric racing to the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan.
Making history at the same track that has previously hosted the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Race of Morocco, Formula E’s drivers will be competing on a 2.97km anti-clockwise street circuit. This is the first time Formula E has visited the continent of Africa, reflecting the growing demand for e-mobility solutions across the globe.
Marrakesh is one of five new city center circuits to appear on the 2016-17 Formula E calendar, joining Hong Kong, Brussels, New York and Montreal.
The Marrakesh ePrix is the official sporting event of COP22 – the 22nd session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) – which also takes place in Marrakesh, from 07-18 November, alongside the Formula E race.
Ahead of the Marrakesh ePrix, Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said: “We are delighted to be racing in Marrakesh – the first time that Formula E has raced on the African continent, which shows how we have evolved into a truly global championship. The event has even greater significance as we are here as one of the official partners of COP22. Formula E fully understands the challenges and risks that climate change presents, and to be a part of the most significant forum for tackling this problem is a huge honour.”
Argentinian driver Jose Maria Lopez, three-time WTCC champion and DS Virgin Racing driver, said: “I’ve raced in Marrakesh for three years already with WTCC. As with all street circuits it’s going to be tricky. I’m used to WTCC cars which need more space, so with a Formula E event the track will feel wider. You don’t have a lot of big straight lines here, so there’ll be plenty of fighting for small overtaking gaps – I’m really looking forward to it. Racing on a familiar track in a Formula E car will help bring a new dynamic to my race experience – I hope it leads to success!”
One of the principle aims of Formula E is to promote the use of electric cars. Formula E believes that increased electric car usage will significantly benefit the air quality in our cities for future generations which, in turn, will lead to an improved quality of life.
As Formula E wants to play a key role in advancing the technology surrounding electric car ownership, not just the cars themselves, the championship charges all Formula E racing cars from a sustainable source. As part of the virtually emission-free charging, generators are specifically shipped to each race, providing 42kW of electricity per car and keeping each one fully charged.
A special documentary looking into detail at how Formula E recently achieved the breathtaking feat of delivering a Formula E car to an ice cap in Greenland, to raise awareness of climate change, will be premiered on 13 November at the EMOTION Club, at the circuit.