Formula E returns for its fourth season in just a couple of weeks time with the opening round in Hong Kong.
Each season has seen the calendar changed with new cities and circuits coming and going, and it’s no different this time around. There will be two new South American rounds in Brazil and Chile, while Italy and Switzerland will make an appearance during season four.
The season finale in Montreal could also change location from its current downtown locations to the famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve used by Formula 1, following a change of mayor in the Canadian city.
However we do say goodbye to a couple of cities. Monaco no longer features on the calendar, with the Historic Grand Prix which takes place every other in the principality. For the Buenos Aires ePrix, redevelopment in the Puerto Madero district has forced FE to take the race off the calendar after three seasons.
We take a look at the four new cities that will be hosting FE during the 2017/18 season.
Santiago, Chile
Chile’s capital Santiago is the host of the first new destination of the season, and the first of two rounds in South America.
The city has previously hosted a Grand Prix in 1950, won by F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio, but has yet to host an official FIA sanctioned street race.
On a 1.53 mile track based in the heart of the city centre, the 12 turn circuit will cross the Mapocho River, go through Forestal Park and along the Avenue Santa Maria where the action will start and finish.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Brazil will make its debut on the Formula E calendar in season four, with a race in São Paulo. With its place on the calendar on March 17, the Sao Paulo ePrix will take place two weeks after the Mexican ePrix.
The Sambodromo do Anhembi, which last hosted an IndyCar race in 2013, is expected to be the location the round will take place at. It won’t feature the Marginal Tiete straight, but the final details have yet to be revealed.
Following the recent security problems at the Brazilian Grand Prix where there were multiple attempts of armed robbery on personnel leaving the circuit, all eyes will be on the FE race for an improvement.
Rome, Italy
After not initially making it on to the first season calendar, Rome will be the first of two new European cities to join Formula E.
As one of the longer circuits on the calendar at 1.77 miles, and a total of 21 corners, the race will take place against the backdrop of the Colosseo Quadrato around the Obelisco di Marconi. The layout was described by Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag as ‘challenging for the drivers’.
Despite the media unveiling of the race taking part in the heart of the city, it won’t feature the most iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum.
Zurich, Switzerland
Formula E is to bring motorsport back to Switzerland for the first time since the 50’s on a street track in its capitol Zurich.
The Zurich ePrix will take place on June 10, in the heart of the city. Upon its confirmation, it was revealed that tram tracks were likely to pose a particular problem, with safety concerns in the wet and a considerable financial investment to cover them.
The last ‘Swiss Grand Prix’ was actually held in Dijon in 1982, but you would have to go all the way back to 1954 to find the last race held in Switzerland. in the town of Bremgarten near Bern.
Due to a high level of fatalities at Le Mans, the Swiss government banned motorsport in 1955. A vote in 2007 agreed to lift the restriction but wasn’t ratified. Only recently has a motion to reintroduce motorsport to Switzerland been approved, which will pave the way for Formula E to race in Zurich.