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- All-electric series looking to bring back Chinese race
- Electric vehicle hotspot California identified as potential venue
Formula E is targeting Japan, India and the US west coast to expand the current calendar, according to the electric single-seater championship’s chief executive, Jamie Reigle.
As Formula E looks for possible new race locations it is targeting eastern Asia, having previously held races in China, visiting Beijing and Sanya. Now, speaking to Autosport.com, Reigle highlighted Japan as a potential target for a future race with an additional focus on a return to China.
“I look at the markets where we need to have an impact,” he told the motorsport outlet.
“In no particular order, Japan is big on that list. Mainland China in a tier one city [Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen] is big on that list as well.”
Reigle also outlined India as a race target, with Formula E hoping it can help use the series to highlight the pollution risks in the country’s densely populated big cities.
“India, the more I think about it, the more excited I get,” he added.
“You look at that market, it has a young urban population, an internationalists outlook.
“[It’s] English speaking generally in terms of the segment we're going after, and you have an opportunity to skip a generation in terms of electric mobility and showcase the future.
“I'm not saying anything controversial to say that those cities are very populated and there's lots of pollution. Electric [cars] can really transform the quality of lives in that market.
“There's challenges but I'm really focused on that and have had good conversations with Dilbagh [Gill, chief executive of Mahindra Racing] and the Mahindra guys to see if we can accelerate [plans for an Indian race].”
Additionally, Reigle also revealed that a race on the US west coast is an aim for the series. An ePrix in California would add to Formula E's race in New York, which is held on a street circuit in Brooklyn.
“The final one is western US,” added Reigle. “That fits.
“When you talk to the prime manufacturers, they all sell a lot of cars in California.
“If we could end up there, that would be cool.”
The 2021 Formula E season continues on 10th April in Rome, Italy.
Formula E wants to host races in India, Japan and west coast US.
