– First-ever night race for all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
– Double-header in Diriyah planned for February 26 and 27, 2021 at 17:00 GMT (20:00 local time).
– Track to be lit using latest low-consumption LED technology powered by energy from fully renewable sources.
London, England (November 24, 2020) – Diriyah, Saudi Arabia will host Formula E’s first all-electric night race as part of the 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar. Always focused on innovative, sustainable solutions, Formula E will light the track with low-consumption LED technology powered by fully renewable energy.Formula E confirmed this morning that the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will literally light up the streets of Diriyah as it returns to the historic desert surroundings of the UNESCO World Heritage site for the third year in a row.
Set for a spectacular double-header in the dark, the first sport to have net-zero carbon since inception will once again use its platform to share a positively charged call-to-action, reminding fans that even the most intense and unpredictable racing can take place without the environment paying the price.
Lighting the track with the latest low-consumption LED technology will reduce energy consumption by up to fifty percent compared to non-LED technologies.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.
With a founding purpose to counteract climate change, Formula E’s commitment to deliver better futures through racing drives its ongoing environmental, economic, and social sustainability initiatives around the world. Saudi Arabia is the perfect partner on this mission, as it embraces its own sustainability journey towards a modern, inclusive Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030.
The Diriyah E-Prix will run at 17:00 GMT (20:00 local time) on February 26 and 27. It follows the debut of the 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Santiago, Chile with two races each staged at 18:00 GMT (15:00 local time) on January 16 and 17.
Co-founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E
Alberto Longo
“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.”
Saudi Minister of Sport
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud
“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 in the region 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.”
Chairman of The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation
His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal
“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.”
CEO of CBX the Official Promoter
Carlo Boutagy
“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.”
About Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E Championship >>
Formula E exists to advance sustainable human progress through the power of electric racing. The first and only sport to be certified net-zero carbon since inception, Formula E was founded to counteract climate change by accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles.
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship brings intense and unpredictable all-electric racing to the heart of the world’s most iconic cities. In its first six seasons, Formula E crowned five different Champions and celebrated 17 winners in 69 races. With more automotive manufacturers on the grid than any other motorsport series, the ABB FIA Formula E Championship is not only one of the most exciting racing series on the planet but also an unparalleled proving ground for race-to-road electric vehicle and sustainable mobility technologies.
Powered by purpose and united by a passion to deliver edge-of-seat racing, the positively charged Formula E community of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, host cities and fans work together to light up the world with the transformative power of electric racing.
www.FIAFormulaE.com
About ABB >>
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energises the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.
www.abb.com
Sources: Formula E PR
Photos: Courtesy of Formula E
London, England (November 24, 2020) – Diriyah, Saudi Arabia will host Formula E’s first all-electric night race as part of the 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar. Always focused on innovative, sustainable solutions, Formula E will light the track with low-consumption LED technology powered by fully renewable energy.