Formula E and FIA Take Decision to Temporarily Suspend Season

– Formula E and FIA decide to freeze races for two-month period, considering challenge the current health crisis poses to the organisation of events in city-centres

– Decision to temporarily suspend season taken as most responsible course of action to protect championship workforce against continued spread of COVID-19

– Series introduces red, yellow and green flag-based system to determine different phases and time windows to restart season and evaluate rearranging races

LONDON, UK (March 13, 2020) – Formula E and the FIA have announced that the 2019/20 season will be temporarily suspended for a two-month period, considering the challenge the current health crisis poses to the organisation of events in city-centres.

The decision, made in coordination with the relevant local authorities to temporarily freeze races held in highly-populated cities, was taken as the most responsible course of action, due to the continued spread of coronavirus and the World Health Organisation officially declaring COVID-19 a pandemic.

With the well-being of staff, spectators and the entire championship workforce being the number one priority, precautionary measures put in place will restrict races from running during a set timeframe.

The series is implementing a flag system traditionally used in motorsport, to determine different phases and time windows where races could be rearranged or remain unaffected. Red representing no races, yellow keeping the opportunity open and green going ahead as planned.

Months marked as red flags are March and April, with May currently categorised as a yellow flag and both June and July given the green flag, should the situation improve and stabilise.

As a consequence of the suspension, it will no longer be possible to race in Paris and Seoul, or Jakarta as previously announced on the originally scheduled dates.

Working in collaboration with the FIA and local authorities in each event location, Formula E will closely monitor the situation and evaluate options to organise and reschedule races following the temporary suspension.

To learn more about the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and find out where to watch race highlights, visit www.FIAFormulaE.com or download the app on iOS and Android.
Alternatively, follow the ABB FIA Formula E Championship on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. @FIAFormulaE #ABBFormulaE

Founder & Chairman of Formula E
Alejandro Agag

“Right now is the time to take responsible actions and this is why we have decided to temporarily suspend the season and move forward with introducing measures to freeze races from taking place over the next two months. Motorsport plays a major part in our lives and it is important, but what is more important is the health and safety of our staff, fans and their families, as well as citizens in the cities we race. The ABB FIA Formula E Championship will be back in full force, once the ongoing health crisis and spread of COVID-19 has subsided.”

About the ABB FIA Formula E Championship:
Electric is 45-minutes of non-stop action. The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is the closest and most competitive category in motorsport, with unpredictable and exciting electric racing in the centre of the world’s most iconic cities. Formula E is the fastest-growing series in motorsport and boasts the best roster in racing, where renowned road car manufacturers and automotive brands battle for points, position and bragging rights.
Electric is a race that matters. Formula E is more than just a race on the track, it’s also a proving ground and platform with a higher purpose – to test new technologies, drive development to the production line and put more electric cars on the road.
Using the spectacle of sport, the ABB FIA Formula E Championship is sending a powerful message to speed-up the switch to electric, in a bid to counteract climate change and address the devastating effects of air pollution. www.FIAFormulaE.com
Follow the ABB FIA Formula E Championship on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. @FIAFormulaE #ABBFormulaE
About ABB:
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a technology leader that is driving the digital transformation of industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB has four customer-focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by the ABB Ability™ digital platform. ABB’s Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. www.abb.com