Formula E Race in Hyderabad: Organizers seek clarification from new govt, send SOS

Hyderabad: Uncertainty looms large over the Formula E race scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on February 10, 2024.

While there is no official confirmation on the cancellation of the much-awaited event, the organizers have issued an official statement seeking clarification from the new government.

“Formula E and the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (now under the control of the new Government of Telangana) are in discussions regarding the Host City Agreement signed on 30 October 2023, and the staging of the Hyderabad E-Prix scheduled to be held on February 10, 2024,” the organizers said in a statement.

The organizers said following a recent official communication received from the new Telangana government, Formula E is seeking urgent clarification of their contractual commitments under the agreement and how it could impact the Hyderabad race.

“Based on the content of the letter received, Formula E is concerned the race will not be able to go ahead as planned. Formula E’s senior executive team met with the new leadership of the Government of Telangana immediately following elections earlier this month. Discussions have been ongoing since then,” the organizers said.

The organizers said with the event just a few weeks away and in its final stages of preparation, Formula E, partners and suppliers have already made significant commercial investments in the event.

“The inaugural Hyderabad E-Prix in February this year returned almost 84M USD in positive economic impact to the region, many times more than the overhead costs invested by Formula E and the Telangana government,” the organizers said.

Hyderabad is set to host the only official FIA World Championship event in India next year, alongside other iconic world cities including Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin, and London, as part of a multi-year agreement between Formula E and the Telangana government.

Further updates will follow in due course.