Formula E confirm updated calendar, adding Valencia and Marrakesh
© FIA Formula E
© FIA Formula E

Formula E confirm updated calendar, adding Valencia and Marrakesh

Formula E has officially announced the next set of races for the 2020-21 season, adding Valencia and Marrakesh along with confirmed dates for returns to Rome and Santiago.

As reported yesterday, Formula E will not race during the whole of March, and following a return to Rome in early April, will race for the first time at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo two weeks later. Also confirmed is return to Marrakesh for a fifth consecutive season, despite the Moroccan capital having not held a spot on the original 2020-21 schedule.

The championship has also confirmed that it will work with host cities to implement strict COVID protocols to ensure the safety of on-site personnel. It’s yet to be confirmed whether any of the races past Diriyah will be open for fans to attend.

With the season-opener in Diriyah confirmed for the end of February, a 10th April date has been confirmed for a return to Rome in Round 3. A statement issued by Formula E reaffirms their intention to race in ‘the EUR district’, however, it’s thought that the Vallelunga circuit would be considered as a backup should it not be possible to race in the original location.

For the first time, Valencia will stage a round of the Formula E championship but using a different circuit configuration to the one used each year by the teams during pre-season testing.

Inside Electric confirmed yesterday that the Monaco E-Prix will retain its place on the 2020-21 Calendar with an 8th May date, and this is expected to be run on the full Formula 1 circuit configuration.

Also revealed yesterday was a return to Marrakesh a fortnight later, however, Formula E has confirmed that this will now be a standalone race and not a doubleheader as first rumoured.

Having originally been scheduled to open the 2020-21 season, Santiago has been added back to the calendar as a doubleheader, making up Rounds 7 and 8 on the weekend of 5th-6th June.

No further races have been confirmed beyond the races in Santiago as yet, but Inside Electric understands that Mexico City and Berlin are being considered as possible venues to round out the season if, as expected, COVID restrictions make it impossible to stage races in New York City and London.

Formula E has also confirmed that ‘current health and safety considerations’ make it ‘too complex’ to stage the Paris E-Prix as hoped, but the intention is to return to the French capital in 2022.

The races in Sanya and Seoul will now definitely not take place on their originally scheduled dates, with Formula E stating that ‘a decision on these events will be confirmed with the remainder of the calendar in early spring.’

If, as expected, Sanya and Seoul drop off the calendar this year, it’s also likely that the race in Jakarta will be postponed as well. As reported yesterday, rising cases in Seoul and Jakarta, along with strict protocols on international travel in China, make it challenging to press ahead with plans to hold those races at present.

Jamie Reigle, CEO of Formula E, said “We are committed to delivering a global calendar that befits our first season as a World Championship. We are working closely with all our partners across teams, manufacturers, sponsors, broadcasters and host cities to adapt to external circumstances and ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.

“We will do so while maintaining what fans love most about Formula E: unpredictable racing, iconic locations and the blend of the real and virtual worlds, all underpinned by our race for better futures.”

THE CONFIRMED 2020-21 FORMULA E CALENDAR

Round City Country Date
1 Diriyah Saudi Arabia 26th Feb
2 Diriyah Saudi Arabia 27th Feb
3 Rome* Italy 10th Apr
4 Valencia* Spain 24th Apr
5 Monaco* Monaco 8th May
6 Marrakesh* Monaco 22nd May
7 Santiago Chile 5th Jun
8 Santiago Chile 6th Jun

*Subject to circuit homologation
All calendar updates depend on travel restrictions, as well as local government protocols and are subject to the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

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Written by
Hazel Southwell
Rob Watts
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