New Era in Motorsports Set to Begin in 2014

The new FIA Formula E Championship set a fantastic pace in 2013 on the road to the inaugural race in Beijing in September 2014. Official Logistics Partner DHL takes a look back at the year’s highlights.

Announced to the world in 2012, the new FIA Formula E Championship is set to rev its electric engines and welcome in a whole new era of motorsports in September 2014. The year 2013 was saw a number of significant milestones keeping the series on the track and ready to excite millions of fans around the world.

10 teams, 10 city-center races
Early in the year, Formula E Holdings (FEH), the promoter of the FIA Formula E Championship, presented the FIA with a preliminary list of eight cities selected to host races next year. Big names such as Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles and London turned heads right from the start. The final calendar was handed over to FIA for approval at the September 2013 World Motor Sport Council, and in December the official 2014/2015 calendar featuring 10 city-center events spanning four continents was confirmed. 10 teams and 20 drivers will go head-to-head in a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans.

From September 2014 to June 2015, the world’s first ever fully-electric race will start in Beijing and end in London.

2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship – Calendar*
Round 1     Beijing, China                     13 September 2014
Round 2     Putrajaya, Malaysia            18 October 2014
Round 3     Rio de Janeiro, Brazil          15 November 2014
Round 4     Punta del Este, Uruguay     13 December 2014
Round 5     Buenos Aires, Argentina     10 January 2015
Round 6     Los Angeles, USA              14 February 2015
Round 7     Miami, USA 1                     04 March 2015
Round 8     Monte Carlo, Monaco          09 May 2015
Round 9     Berlin, Germany                 30 May 2015
Round 10     London, UK                      27 June 2015

*All events remain subject to FIA Track Homologation

A pioneer in green logistics meets a pacesetter in clean auto racing
In September, DHL and the FIA Formula E Championship announced a multiyear global partnership, making the world’s leading logistics company the Official Logistics Partner and a Founding Partner of the world’s first fully electric race series. Sharing a vision for the future of e-mobility, DHL aims to help Formula E accelerate innovative and environmentally friendly solutions for the future of e-mobility and city logistics.

As Official Logistics Partner, DHL is providing an extensive range of logistics services which incorporate the most efficient and green technology and processes available today. For ten race locations worldwide, DHL will ensure that all racing cars, spare parts and lithium-ion batteries are delivered safely and on time.

Continuing its drive toward a sustainable future and with its proven 30-year track record in motorsports logistics, DHL is not only piloting the behind-the-scenes logistics race fueled by the most efficient technology and processes available today, it is also committing to the same future as Formula E.

New car – SRT_01E – represents the future of motorsport
Although images of Formula E’s stunning new race car – the Spark-Renault SRT_01E – were made public in May, the car was officially unveiled in September at the renowned Frankfurt Motor Show. Capable of reaching 0-100kph in less than three seconds, the futuristic looking single-seater was developed by Spark Racing Technology with Renault Technical Partnership, headed up by well-known ART team boss Frédéric Vasseur.

In November, the SRT_01E, passed its test debut with flying colors at the La Ferté Gaucher circuit near Choisy-le-Roi, France. The zero emission racer completed around 40 laps over two days in an effort to check that all systems were functioning properly.

“Everything went very well and it was a very positive maiden run for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E,” said Vasseur.

"It is a great feeling to be driving the Formula E car for the first time,” added test driver Lucas di Grassi. “I can assure all the drivers will have a lot of fun with this car – it has quite a lot of grip and the electric motor produces huge torque."

The road show to racing in 2014
The pace will remain high into 2014 as the start of this ground-breaking series draws near. Right in January the SRT_01E will make its public debut in Las Vegas at the internationally renowned Consumer Electronics Show (CET). The road show continues thereafter with visits to Beijing (May 10), Buenos Aires (May 17), Miami (May 31) as well as Berlin and London, dates of which are still pending.