Riyadh signed a 10 year agreement to host the Gen2 Formula E race
23 May 2018
| Last updated on 24 May 2018
The first ever Gen2 Formula E race is coming to the Middle East this December!
Riyadh will host the fifth season of the Gen2 Formula E race will be the 20th host city of the event.
The electric series announced that they have signed a 10-year deal with Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority and Riyadh. Riyadh will host the 2018/19 championship in December and subject to the approval of the FIA's World Motorsport Council, this will be the first event with the new Gen2 machinery.
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FE founder and CEO Alejandro Agag said in an interview: “We think Saudi Arabia - with the new vision of Prince Abdulaziz [bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, vice-chair of the Saudi Arabia General Sports Authority], Prince Khalid [Bin Sultan Bin Abdullah AlFaisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation], and the country - is a fitting location to launch the latest chapter of the electric street racing series.”
The inaugural of the Riyadh E-Prix will be held at Ad Diriyah – the 'Old City' district on the capital's outskirts and will feature only single races instead of double header races. For the time being the races will also not be held during the night as Formula 1 events in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
Hosting the Formula E race in Riyadh is in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 of reforming the country and becoming more sustainable. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, vice-chair of the General Sports Authority said: “The Riyadh E-Prix fits with the direction of the country and the 2030 vision that his Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, launched!”
SEE ALSO: Women In Saudi Arabia Will Soon Be Allowed To Drive
There will also be a treat for women from Saudi Arabia. Since the beginning Formula E has been heralded as forward-thinking, featuring a number of female drivers and helping develop the emissions-free technology of the future. Not only will women be allowed to attend the event, but a number of female racers will also be featured in the race.
It was included in the agreement that female drivers such as Katherine Legge, Michela Cerruti and Simona de Silvestro will be racing and work at the event. Prince Abdulaziz also assured everyone stating that "Of course [female fans are welcome to attend the race too.]"
Here is what we’re expecting Season Five to look like:
- Riyadh E-Prix – Dec. 2018
- Marrakesh E-Prix – Jan. 2019
- Santiago E-Prix – Feb. 2019
- Mexico City E-Prix – Feb. 2019
- Hong Kong E-Prix – March 2019
- Hainan E-Prix – March 2019
- Rome E-Prix – April 2019
- Paris E-Prix – April 2019
- Monaco E-Prix – May 2019
- Berlin E-Prix – May 2019
- Zurich E-Prix 2019 – June 2019
- New York E-Prix – July 2019
- TBA – July 2019
