Six months from now on Saturday, 13th September 2014, Beijing will host the first-ever round of Formula E championship. In preparation for the big event, they announced the location of the Grand Prix, and revealed the Beijing Formula E GP track layout, which is as radical as the concept of Formula E itself.
The location is set around the grounds of China’s iconic Olympic Stadium, more commonly known as the ‘Bird’s Nest’ and venue for the 2008 Olympic Games. It features a 3.44 kilometer temporary track, custom made by designer Rodrigo Nunes, featuring 20 turns.
Beijing Formula E track has two main straights and a series of high-speed chicanes, plus a unique ‘U-shaped’ pit lane with spectator areas located inside giving fans an incredible close-up view of the action. They will also enjoy a magnificent cityscape backdrop taking in both the Beijing National Aquatics Centre and the Olympic Stadium itself.
Formula E, which is like the Formula 1 championship for electric race cars, will be held in urban areas to emphasize the importance of clean electric energy. The Beijing Formula E GP circuit is the first of 10 city-centre races on the inaugural 2014/2015 Formula E calendar to be revealed.
The races will be held over a single day in order to minimise disruption to each host city with the practice session, qualifying and 60-minute race taking place on Saturday followed by a live music concert. AS for the racing itself, well, nothing is certain for now. But the fact that the top speed of Formula E cars is just 225 km/h is not very promising.
