Formula E has confirmed China and India will join the 2024 schedule, while Nio 333 have rebranded to ERT for next season.
Confirmed:
- Shanghai will host the all-electric series for the first time in May 2024
- Hyderabad returns following its debut last year, despite reports it would drop off the calendar
- Jakarta drops off provisional calendar due to Indonesian presidential elections
- Formula E also exploring alternative venue for Rome event
- Nio 333 will be known as Electric Racing Technology (ERT) from next season
Context:
Despite speculation that Hyderabad would not remain on the 2024 calendar it returns after a successful debut, as previously reported by BlackBook Motorsport. Shanghai is a surprise addition, with most reports indicating that Cape Town or Malaga were in line to take a slot. The all-electric series returns to China, which hosted the first-ever Formula E race in Beijing, for the first time since 2019.
The departure of Jakarta from the calendar is due to political reasons, but series organisers and Indonesian authorities are exploring an alternative date for the event. While Rome has dropped from the provisional schedule, Italy remains as Formula E looks for a venue capable of handling the more powerful Gen3 car – this could even see the all-electric series race at a permanent circuit in the country.
In other news, the Silverstone-based Nio 333 team will rebrand to Electric Racing Technology (ERT) from next season following the conclusion of their partnership with Chinese manufacturer Nio. The team has seen investment from an unknown source to enable this move.
Comment:
Alberto Longo, co-founder and chief championship officer at Formula E, said: “Without doubt our Season 10 calendar is the most compelling yet for drivers, teams, fans and viewers around the world. We are taking Formula E to Shanghai for the first time and are honoured to return to India thanks to the support of the Telangana Government and Minister K T Rama Rao.
“The combination of street circuits, which is in Formula E’s DNA, and established race tracks will allow drivers to push the capabilities of the Gen3 car harder and further after a first season that beat all expectations with triple-digit overtakes in most races and the world championship titles decided on the final weekend.”
Coming next:
The 2024 Formula E season will get underway in Mexico City on 13th January and will be the only motorsport world championship to race in the three most-populated countries in the world: India, China and the US. The season comes to a close with a double-header event in London from 20th to 21st July.