Formula E has been gradually moving away from traditional street circuits in recent seasons. This shift is not intentional, but it is concerning for the top performers in the sport. In the 2024 season, there will only be two genuine city street tracks: Monaco and Tokyo. The rest of the calendar consists of permanent, airfield, or exhibition hall circuits, with Diriyah being a purpose-built “street” facility. This is a stark contrast to the 2018/19 season, which featured six genuine city street circuit venues: Rome, Paris, Bern, Sanya, Hong Kong, and New York City.
The reasons behind this shift can be attributed to the realization that the cost and disruption to city centers were often not worth it, unless there was significant financial support. For example, the Rome E-Prix was replaced by the Misano circuit due to safety concerns following a dramatic race-stopping accident. However, Formula E cars are not getting so fast that they pose a danger on street circuits like Rome.
The decision to move away from street circuits was primarily driven by financial considerations. Closing off roads and setting up infrastructure in municipal areas was costly, with estimates ranging from €4-5 million. Formula E saw an opportunity to save money by using purpose-built facilities instead, allowing them to allocate those savings to other races like the upcoming Tokyo E-Prix.
Formula E’s approach to organizing races has been inconsistent, with a lack of continuity in promoters and commercial interest. In many cases, Formula E takes on the promotion of events internally. While they may receive assistance from local agencies, such as Dentsu in Tokyo, the series itself handles the core promotion. This approach has led to a calendar that is predominantly made up of permanent and stadium-based tracks, like those in Seoul, London, and Tokyo.
There have been rumors of a race around the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, but the likelihood of new city center races is slim. Successful races in city centers are rare in Formula E, with Diriyah being an exception. However, even Diriyah is located in an area that does not include residential or commercial areas. Rome, Hong Kong, and Paris had multi-year runs, but there have been many one-off tracks like Santiago, Zurich, Bern, Montreal, Miami, and Moscow. Some of these races caused significant disruption, leading to protests and ill-feeling among locals.
The shift away from street tracks may have operational and financial benefits, but it doesn’t sit well with the drivers. Many drivers, like Jaguar’s Mitch Evans, love street tracks and believe that Formula E cars are designed for them. Sergio Sette Camara from ERT shares similar sentiments, stating that street circuits differentiate the championship. However, the model of relying on government approval for street circuits has proven problematic. Sette Camara suggests that either a long-term commitment to certain cities or a move to permanent circuits could be a solution.
Dan Ticktum also expresses his dissatisfaction with Formula E moving away from street tracks. He believes that being in a city center and promoting electric sustainability is crucial for the sport’s image. Stability in the calendar is another concern for the drivers, as a fragmented schedule can negatively impact the series. Sebastien Buemi, a veteran driver, emphasizes the importance of stability for partners, fans, and credibility. He suggests that the only way to achieve stability is by moving towards more conventional circuits, even if there are changes in government.
The debate continues as to whether these conventional circuits are the right showcase for Formula E. The abundance of overtaking moves at the Portland circuit, for example, divided opinions among fans and drivers. While some enjoyed the fast-paced action, others found the initial laps less exciting.