LEICESTERSHIRE, UK (April 10 2014): The FIA Formula E Championship, the world’s first fully-electric race series, has today confirmed that all of its official pre-season tests will be held at Donington Park circuit in the UK with free admission to fans.
Formula E Pre-Season: Free Access for Fans at Donington Park
In an unprecedented move, the FIA Formula E Championship has announced that all official pre-season tests will be held at Donington Park circuit in the UK, with free admission for fans. This decision marks a significant step in bringing electric racing closer to its audience.
Donington Park circuit to host all five days of official testing
Five Days of Electrifying Action
Beginning July 3, the 10 Formula E teams will engage in five full test days, each open to the public at no charge. Fans who pre-register via the Donington Park website will gain unparalleled access to witness the 200kw (270bhp) Spark-Renault SRT_01E single-seaters in action.
The remaining tests are scheduled for July 4, 9, 10, and August 19 – just three weeks before the season opener in Beijing on September 13. This tight schedule underscores the rapid development of electric racing technology.
Donington Park: The New Home of Formula E
Donington Park isn’t just hosting the tests; it’s becoming the new headquarters for Formula E and its teams. Construction of a bespoke 44,000 ft² facility is nearing completion, set to open in early May. This state-of-the-art complex will accommodate over 150 staff, engineers, and team personnel, centralizing operations for the groundbreaking racing series.
A Boost for Electric Racing
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, emphasized the strategic importance of this move: “Given all 10 Formula E teams will shortly be based at Donington Park, using the circuit for all official pre-season tests was the natural choice.” He added that this arrangement would reduce both costs and logistic emissions, aligning with the series’ sustainability goals.
Christopher Tate, Managing Director of Donington Park Racing Ltd, expressed excitement about the partnership: “We are privileged to offer Formula E a suitable combination of fabled motorsport history, an excellent test track, and a global centre of excellence for the new technology.”
How to Attend
Spectators must pre-register to gain access to the testing sessions. While admission is free, registration is mandatory. Details on how to attend will be available soon on both the Formula E and Donington Park websites.
For media representatives interested in covering the tests, accreditation applications are being accepted through the Donington Park news application form.
The Road Ahead
As Formula E gears up for its inaugural season, these pre-season tests represent a crucial phase in the championship’s development. The series aims to showcase the potential of electric vehicles while providing thrilling racing action.
With the growing interest in electric vehicles worldwide, Formula E’s initiative to open its pre-season tests to the public could play a significant role in accelerating the adoption of electric mobility.
As the countdown to the Beijing opener continues, all eyes will be on Donington Park this summer, where the future of motorsport will be on full display – free of charge.
Spectators will need to pre-register their attendance in order to gain access to testing, although no fee will be charged. Further details on how members of the public can attend Formula E test days will be available via the Formula E (www.fiaformulae.com) and Donington Park (www.donington-park.co.uk) websites shortly.
All members of the media who wish to apply for accreditation to the tests should do so via http://donington-park.co.uk/news/application-form.
FIA Formula E Championship – Official pre-season test days:
1. July 3 2014 – Donington Park, UK
2. July 4 2014 – Donington Park, UK
3. July 9 2014 – Donington Park, UK
4. July 10 2014 – Donington Park, UK
5. August 19 2014 – Donington Park, UK
Sources: FIA Formula E Championship & Michelin
