Formula E: Hyderabad E-Prix 2024 Race Faces Potential Cancellation Risk; Here's Why

A Formula E statement indicates that the Hyderabad E-Prix Formula E race, scheduled for February 10, 2024, may encounter some complications. Uncertainties that might jeopardise the event were brought to light by the organisers' disclosure that they had obtained an official communication from the Government of Telangana. The Formula E organisation has therefore expeditiously contacted the local administration for clarifications.

As part of the FIA Formula E championship, Hyderabad hosted the all-electric single-seater race this February near Hussain Sagar Lake. Prior to the recent state elections that led to a change in political leadership, a new agreement to host the 2024 race was signed in October.

In a statement, Formula E said, "Following a recent official communication received from the new Government of Telangana, 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.

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"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.

"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 Government of Telangana."

The Hyderabad E-Prix, which was the first FIA event to be held in India since the 2013 Indian Grand Prix Formula One race, represented a momentous occasion. Despite not directly impacting the event's present issue, the transportation of track materials from Chennai to Hyderabad was one of the logistical obstacles encountered during the setup of the event.

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The initiation of the Hyderabad E-Prix in February of the preceding year was beset by infrastructure and construction-related obstacles, which resulted in the delayed completion of certain facilities. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the race, which was won by Jean-Eric Vergne of DS Penske, was deemed a triumph. Nevertheless, operational complications emerged throughout the occasion, most notably the unanticipated ingress of local traffic onto the track in between periods of free practice.