FE close to adding touring car support series

ByAutoSport

Published 11/08/2017 at 16:17 GMT

An electric touring car support series that could be staged on the Formula E support bill is close to becoming a reality for the 2018/19 season, Autosport has learned.

Eurosport

Image credit: Eurosport

Plans to introduce a tin-top series are close to being firmed up and an announcement from Formula E could come as soon as October.

FIA President Jean Todt told Autosport in Montreal that adding other electric racing events to Formula E weekend schedules was something that the governing body was looking to address.

"Clearly we want to develop electric racing," said Todt.

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"We're discussing and studying the introduction of the electric car in other categories of motorsport and I feel it would be a good idea to introduce a second race during the race weekend.

"I think there is a space to maybe introduce a different discipline as a support race.

"It is something we are thinking of."

It is not yet clear if such a support race would be a one-make or multi-make initiative.

One area that would need consideration is whether the existing structure of Formula E events would allow for a support race to be added to a timetable.

Current charging times for electric cars means positioning adequate session lengths and race distances around Formula E's track time could initially prove difficult under the series' current one-day format.

Formula E has showcased both the Roborace prototype and development cars in the three hour slots between qualifying and races this season.

The Hong Kong 2016/17 season opener also featured an electric all-Volkswagen Golf support event.

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