First team signs up for Formula E

A proposal for the 2015 Drayton Formula E car by designer Sergio Rinland.

A proposal for the 2015 Drayton Formula E car by designer Sergio Rinland.

Published Jan 10, 2013

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Drayson Racing was revealed on Wednesday as the first team to sign up for a new city-based global 'Formula E' electric car series due to start next year.

Drayson, run by British businessman and former science minister Paul Drayson, said they would enter two drivers in cars to be supplied by promoter Formula E holdings and developed by Formula One frontrunners McLaren and Spark Racing Technology.

The British-based Drayson team plans to be a constructor in its own right from 2015.

“We aim to be one of the front runners from the start, leveraging the knowhow we've built up over the past two years working on electric drivetrains and developing our 320km/h electric Le Mans prototype,” said Drayson.

STREET RACES

“We believe that Formula E has very significant commercial potential, it will attract new fans and new sponsors to motorsport and is on track to become the world's leading environmentally sustainable global sporting event.”

Formula E will be an FIA sanctioned championship with the commercial rights licensed to a Hong Kong-based consortium which aims to hold races in the heart of at least 10 cities around the world.

Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag, a former chairman of Queens Park Rangers when the club was part-owned by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, is the chief executive.

Rome and Rio de Janeiro have been announced so far as host cities with organisers hoping to add London to the list. - Reuters

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