Formula E
PREVIEW: PARIS EPRIX
Formula E now has one of Europe’s most beautiful cities as the setting for the seventh round of the season with the debut of ePrix in Paris. The 1.93-km circuit in the heart of the French capital weaves around the famous Hôtel des Invalides with a direct view of that famous Parisian landmark, the Eiffel Tower.
Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag also finds the location inspiring: “Staging a Formula E race in the heart of Paris is undoubtedly a landmark in the development of our series. I am particularly pleased that a city that is so involved in energy transition and sustainable development will organize a round of the championship.”
As a pioneer of electric mobility, the race in Paris will provide a logical follow-up to the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21) agreements achieved in the same city last year. A new international climate deal, the Paris Agreement, was adopted at this UN conference. Its objective is to reduce global warming to well below 2°C with the aim of achieving a 1.5°C reduction. In order to achieve that, greenhouse gas emissions will have to be cut back to zero worldwide between 2045 and 2060. More than 130 countries have already confirmed that they will sign the Paris Agreement on 22nd April 2016.
I am particularly pleased that a city that is so involved in energy transition and sustainable development will organize a round of the championship.
Alejandro Agag, CEO Formula E
However, the city of two million inhabitants has also launched its own urban development program. The 2050 Smart City Project, commissioned by Paris’s City Hall, evolved during 2014-15. Vincent Callebaut’s urban study shows a green and sustainable future Paris, aiming to achieve a 75-percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
And so, Paris in the heart of Europe is a capital city which is being just as innovative as Formula E itself – modern, and heading towards a more sustainable future. And the race is also a winner in financial terms. After all, the FIA, Formula E's tire supplier Michelin and the Renault e.Dams team are headquartered in France.
Championship leader Lucas di Grassi is also eagerly anticipating this first race in the city of lights. “Paris is a new highlight on the calendar – congratulations to Formula E for setting up this race in downtown Paris.” This will be a home race for four drivers – Loïc Duval, Nicolas Prost, Stéphane Sarrazin and Jean-Eric Vergne. But the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver is not afraid of the French competition: “Yes, this is a home fixture for our friends and fellow competitors from France, but none of that interests me. Let’s go there and try to win!”
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