Formula E to come to Budapest? – talks already happening

ABB FIA Formula E is interested in hosting a race in Budapest. The championship’s CEO, Alejandro Agag, confirmed that they have already had talks on the issue, and the National Automobile Feredation of Hungary are also lobbying for it.

“I would like to race there”

In fact, a Formula E demonstration run already took place in Budapest on Wednesday at the city’s Nagy Futam (Great Race) motorsport festival. Furthermore, the Gen2 demo car was driven by Mahindra Racing’s Jerome d’Ambrosio at the event.

The run was organised by FE title sponsor ABB. The company has its own Gen2 demo car to use for roadshow events to promote the series – autosport.com reported.

“Yeah, we’re talking to Budapest – definitely,” Agag told the website.

“I would like to race there.“

Jerome d’Ambrosio, a Formula E pilot in Budapest on the Great Race of 01. 05. 2019. Photo: MTI

He added that he did not think that Formula 1 which already has a long-established presence with the Hungarian Grand Prix is a competition at all. He said that in Montreal, where the situation was similar, he managed to establish the race and highlighted that “We’re compatible.”

In fact, they planned a Formula E demonstration in the Austrian capital, Vienna, but due to problems with the permit, it did not take place. Mr Agag explained various reasons behind organising FE demo runs in new locations to autosport.com. “Sometimes it is the cities involved; sometimes it is our sponsors that

want to promote a particular roadshow in a place”

– he said. He added that they have a partner in Budapest who would like to promote Formula E in Hungary.

Present the beauties of Budapest – electric race cars are quiet

However, when discussing the chances of the Hungarian capital joining the Formula E calendar in the future, Agag said that “they need more time to get ready. But there are good conversations going on.” In fact, it is not him who leads such conversations but a team, but he highlighted that

he regards Budapest as a good option.

HVG reported that Gyárfás Oláh, President of the National Automobile Federation of Hungary, is also in talks with Jean Todt, president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), about organising a Formula E run in Hungary. Oláh added that they have been working on the project for years. He told MTI that they are currently in Sun City (South-Africa) and are discussing the conditions of joining the FE calendar. He cleared that they are talking about more possible venues, and the promoter of the race is still a question.

Furthermore, Hermann Tilke, who has planned many racetracks recently, is happy to join the team planning the racetrack in Hungary. Oláh said that a race could be a perfect opportunity to

present the beauties of Budapest to the world, 

and in this respect, it is also important that Formula E will probably become a world championship in the future.

In fact, Formula E is a class of motorsport that uses only electric-powered cars. The series was conceived in 2011, and the inaugural championship commenced in Beijing in September 2014. It is sanctioned by the FIA. Alejandro Agag is the founder and current chairman of Formula E Holdings. Since electric cars are quiet, races are organised on the city’s streets.

Photos: MTI, facebook.com/fiaformulae

Source: autosport.com, hvg.hu