Diriyah to host first Formula E night race as opening dates announced

Diriyah in Saudi Arabia will host Formula E’s first ever night race, the sport has announced.

In keeping with the innovative and sustainable solutions that is the hallmark of the world’s premier electric racing series, Formula E will light the track with low consumption LED technology powered by fully renewable energy.

‘Lighting the track with the latest low consumption LED technology will reduce energy consumption by up to fifty per cent compared to non-LED technologies,’ read the official press release. ‘The remaining energy needed to power the floodlighting will be fully renewable provided by high performing low-carbon certified hydrogenated vegetable oil made from sustainable materials.’

It was also announced that the 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will begin with a double header in Santiago, Chile at 18:00 GMT (15:00 local time) on January 16 and 17. The Diriyah E-Prix will be next up at 17:00 GMT (20:00 local time) on February 26 and 27 with the further championship rounds to be confirmed early in 2021.

Alberto Longo, Co-founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E: “We are very proud to partner with Saudi to create Formula E’s first ever night race. I am confident the race will be spectacular and lead to a style of competitive action we haven’t seen before. As with everything we do, our first thought was about how to bring our sporting vision to life in a sustainable way. Before we innovate our racing product we must be confident we can maintain the standards of sustainable practice we hold ourselves accountable to.”

 

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, the Minister of Sport: “In 2018 the ancient historical city of Diriyah made history in hosting the first fully-electric race on the streets of the region. The debut event sparked so much joy and energy to our sporting journey and was one of a number of major sporting firsts that have since inspired our people and helped to shine a spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s massive transformation under the Kingdom’s vision 2030.

“In 2019 Diryah was the first to host back to back races during a race weekend and now once again we will make sporting history. It is very fitting that a place so ancient will showcase the latest in sustainable technology as Diriyah lights up to shine bright for the world to see. We look forward to the dramatic racing and incredible scenes that are guaranteed to unfold under the lights.”

 

His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation: “The inaugural Diriyah E-Prix was the Kingdom’s first major international event, last year it became the middle east’s first double-header and in February, it will be the first ever night race for the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, we’re really proud of this. Saudi Arabia is on a journey of embracing renewable energy and technology, and Formula E is more than just a race to be the best, it’s a partnership committed to the future of sustainable technology”.

 

Carlo Boutagy, CEO of CBX the Official Promoter: “With the circular economy being a key pillar of Vision 2030, we are thrilled to be quite literally shining a light on sustainability through hosting Formula E’s first ever night race. As a Promoter, the fan experience is at the forefront of our event and we always aim to raise the bar year on year, and we have no doubt that the Diriyah E-Prix will be a spectacle unlike any other.”

Motorsport Technology