Formula E teams receive first batch of race cars

Formula E is one step closer to realizing its goal of electric car racing with the opening of its 44,000ft², state-of-the-art facility in Donington Park, which will be their official headquarters for the next three years last May 15.

It was also the date they took delivery of their first race cars that was built by ‘a consortium of the leading names in motorsport including McLaren, Williams, Dallara, Renault and Michelin.’

250 guests along with Virgin Racing drivers Sam Bird and Jaime Alguersuari, racing legend Alain Prost, Formula E executives and local dignitaries and the press attended the opening hosted by the CEO of Formula E, Alejandro Agag and Kevin Wheatcroft the owner and chairman of Donington Park.

 “Today marks a very significant milestone in the genesis of the FIA Formula E Championship. In September 2013 we launched this incredible fully-electric 150mph car and after more than 3,000km of rigorous testing we’re delighted to be now handing them over to our 10 teams. My thanks go to Frédéric Vasseur and his team at Spark Racing Technology for making this happen and all our car partners – McLaren, Williams, Dallara, Renault and Michelin – involved in its development,’ said Alejandro Agag.

Formula E is the FIA’s new fully-electric single-seater championship that can reach speeds in excess 225kph and has been designed to run in street races around the world has gained some traction due to the support of personalities like Sir Richard Branson and Leonardo DiCaprio.  Twenty drivers have already signed up for the season and they include Lucas di Grassi, Daniel Abt, Sam Bird and Jaime Alguersuari.

Formula E pre-season testing begins on July 3 with all five dates open free of charge to the public.  The next batch of Formula E cars will arrive on June 16 and the full four-car allocation per team is expected to be complete by July 15.  

The first of 10 street races will be in Beijing on September 13.