Moscow has today been announced as the ninth round of the FIA Formula E Championship, filling the missing round vacated by Brazil, and will take place on June 6 2015.
Moscow’s inclusion follows speculation that one of the rounds would be a double header, with rumours rife the season finale in London would become two races after the Rio race was canceled last year.
The new thirteen turn circuit will race adjacent to the Kremlin and will see drivers fly past the Moskva River and Saint Basil’s Cathedral.
The track layout for the Moscow ePrix. Credit: FIA Formula E
Russia’s race will be the penultimate round of the season, with London still set for the season finale at the end of June.
Formula E has taken to the capital city after motorsport’s recent success in hosting WTCC and Formula One in the country.
“Russia’s presence in motorsport dates back to the beginning of the 20th Century but the growth rate which we’ve seen in the last few years is incredible,” said FIA President Jean Todt. “After the debut of WTCC two years ago and of Formula One last year, the launch of another FIA Championship in the country is an important milestone in this growth path. I am sure that Moscow will enjoy the event.”
It will be the first time a race has been held in the very heart of the city and the Chairman of FEH Russia, Valentin Buhtoyarov, certain of a great event.
“It is a great honour for me to see Jean Todt and Alejandro Agag today at the official announcement event for the Moscow round of the FIA Formula E Championship,” he said. “It proves a very important role of Moscow ePrix for the whole Championship. I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of Moscow for their invaluable support, and I am certain that the event will be a great success. Moscow ePrix is more than just a race, it is a high-tech competition that has a great social significance for the city. It offers a rich entertainment programme and focuses on development of sustainability.”
Formula E now once again has ten locations for the first season and with Moscow’s inclusion the date for the eighth round of the series, the Berlin ePrix, has been brought forward by one week and will now take place on May 23 2015.
