FORMULA E: Season 5 Calendar Revealed
Today (7/6/18), Formula E revealed the calendar for Season 5 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, with the event calendar being as follows:
Round 1: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia* - 15/12/18
Round 2: Marrakesh, Morocco - 12/1/19
Round 3: TBC - 26/1/19
Round 4: Mexico City, Mexico - 16/2/19
Round 5: Hong Kong, China - 10/3/19
Round 6: TBC, China - 23/3/19
Round 7: Rome, Italy - 13/4/19
Round 8: Paris, France - 27/4/19
Round 9: Monte Carlo, Monaco* - 11/5/19
Round 10: Berlin, Germany - 25/5/19
Round 11: Zurich, Switzerland** - 9/6/19
Round 12: New York, USA - 13/7/19
Round 13: New York, USA - 14/7/19
*Subject to circuit homologation
**Subject to ASN approval, circuit homologation and final approval of the city
Only 2 new races are scheduled to appear on the 2018/19 calendar, with Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh and a still to be confirmed second race in China being added.
The Monaco race is set to run on the full Grand Prix layout for the first time, instead of the shortened circuit that Formula E used in Seasons 1 and 3, which received criticism of its lack of overtaking opportunities.
Marrakesh remains in its usual Round 2 slot it has had since Season 2, while Hong Kong has been removed as the season opener to Round 5, allowing back-to-back Chinese rounds, giving the first half of the season a new look compared to previous years.
The "European Season" remains largely unchanged, with Monaco returning on its bi-annual contract with Formula E, and New York will hold a double-header as the season finale for the second year in a row.
Last year's Round 3, hosted by Santiago, Chile, does not appear on the released calendar. It is understood that Formula E had discussed returning to Santiago, but any future return would be located elsewhere in the city, having encountered a mix of logistical difficulties and local opposition in Season 4's event.
The proposed Birmingham round also does not appear on the calendar, despite the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, saying that it could take place as soon as Season 5. No further news has yet been revealed.
