Formula E on Thursday cancelled its Paris race due to restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and said E-Prix races planned for Seoul and the Chinese resort of Sanya remained uncertain.
The seventh season of the all-electric series, now an FIA-sanctioned world championship, starts in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 26 and 27 with two night races in Diriyah.
« The current health and safety considerations make the specific organisation of the prestigious Paris E-Prix around Les Invalides too complex in Season Seven, » Formula E said in a statement.
« Therefore, it has been agreed with the City of Paris to plan instead for the Season Eight edition. »
A revised calendar running to June takes the number of races to eight, with more to be confirmed in the early European spring.
« We are committed to delivering a global calendar that befits our first season as a world championship, » said chief executive Jamie Reigle.
Rome’s April 10 slot was confirmed, with Valencia taking the April 24 weekend originally earmarked for Paris. Monaco’s May 8 date remains unchanged.
The Moroccan city of Marrakesh was slotted in for May 22, a day before Seoul would have featured, and races in the Chilean capital Santiago postponed from January have been rescheduled for June 5 and 6.
China’s March 13 round was already on hold, along with Mexico City.
Formula E said strict protocols in partnership with host cities would ensure health and safety. Last season ended in August with six races in Berlin after a spate of cancellations.
Valencia’s E-Prix will take place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, where teams have tested for the past three years, outside the eastern Spanish city.
https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/30794467/formula-e-cancels-paris-race-sanya-seoul-uncertain