A deal has been struck that will see the finale of the 2015/16 FIA Formula E season in London go ahead, but it will be the last one to be held at Battersea Park.
The race had been subject to a judicial review led by the Battersea Park Acton Group, who objected to the park being used as a race venue due to the disruption and damage it caused.
However, following a tripartite agreement between Formula E, Wandsworth Borough Council and the Battersea Park Action Group, the legal challenge has been dropped meaning that the double-header London ePrix can go ahead as planned.
As part of the deal, Formula E have agreed to look at other venues for the race, and will reinstate the park to the condition it was in prior to last year’s inaugural event.
Speaking after the deal had been struck, Formula E Chief Executive, Alejandro Agag, said: “We are very pleased that the Visa London ePrix will go ahead as planned. We would like to thank everybody involved in helping to make the races in Battersea Park such a success.”
He also told the London Evening Standard, “We have reached an agreement with residents, some of who were objecting and protesting, that this will be the last race in Battersea Park. The judicial review had been withdrawn.”
This has put the future of a London race in doubt, and would explain why it was left off the provisional calendar for 2016/17 that was sent to teams last week.
However it is still seen as a strategically important location for the series, and Agag is now looking at a more central location for the 2017/18 season.
He confirmed that he has been speaking with the Mayor of London’s office about other sites, saying, “We had races in Paris and Berlin that were right in the heart of the city, which were a fantastic success. We’ve had preliminary conversations with the GLA, but there’s been no permission or route authorised yet.”
“I love Battersea Park, but you’re effectively in a park and all you see is trees — this would be a view of London’s landmarks.”
A spokesman for the Mayor’s office said, “The Mayor…intends to work with FIA Formula E to explore other sites in the capital.”
