With the fourth round of the FIA-backed electric-powered open-wheel series, Formula E wrapping up over the weekend and the series taking a two month break, talk has now turned to future race locations, with Australia firmly on the agenda.
The inaugural Formula E calendar features street-circuit events in Asia, South America, North America and Europe, from Beijing to Buenos Aires, Miami to Monte Carlo, Berlin to London.
The street circuit platform has so far proved successful for the new competition, and expansion into Australia is certainly a possibility given its history of hosting world championship events and Asian-friendly time zone.
Australia also features three street circuits that would perfectly suit Formula E’s tight and twisty track requirement: Adelaide, Surfers Paradise and Sydney.
The three street circuits host V8 Supercars in Formula E friendly dates; at the start of the open-wheeler series’ season in October in the case of Surfers Paradise, mid-season for Sydney and a potential end of season date in February to March in Adelaide.
The green-credentialled Formula E makes for an unlikely bedfellow with V8 Supercars, so running the electric-powered series the weekend before or after the domestic touring car series has been suggested.
Adelaide has the pedigree of hosting major international events with the Clipsal 500 well established on the V8 Supercars calendar. However, traffic congestion raises the ire of local residents and an additional weekend of racing adds further strain to a city overflowing with major events around that period.
Surfers Paradise, too, has a history of hosting international open-wheel series – a legacy that V8 Supercars has struggled to live up to. The picturesque circuit would fit the vibe Formula E has gone for and could pacify a Queensland government who has needed some convincing to maintain the street-circuit event.
Finally, the Sydney Olympic Park precinct, host of V8 Supercars’ season finale, could be enticed by Formula E as a way to add to its street-circuit event.
The New South Wales government has yet to commit to the event in the long-term, so a Formula E/V8 Supercars double header could be another attractive proposition.
In terms of location and circuit suitability, Surfers Paradise would probably have the edge. And the late October date would slot perfectly at the start of the Formula E schedule, in between the China and Malaysia rounds.
At a time when the cost of staging a grand prix continues to cause angst for the Victorian government, their Queensland, South Australian and New South Wales counterparts should be looking to Formula E as an alternative.
The series is slowly convincing diehard motorsport fans that it’s a worthy series that, in addition to its relevant technology, can put on a decent show at its street circuits.
And by pairing up Formula E and V8 Supercars races, V8 Supercars organisers could secure the future of their own events. Watch this space! Where Formula E lands in Australia could be pivotal for the future of these events.
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