One of the biggest surprises on the provisional 2023 Formula E racing calendar was the absence of the New York City E-Prix. After ten Brooklyn races, the end of the electric racing series on the “Big Apple” is imminent. The reason for this step is the new construction of a cruise ship terminal in the “Red Hook” port, where the Formula E track has been built for years.
From April 2023, MSC Cruises’ cruise ship MSC Seascape will expand its operations at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. The result: Part of the infrastructure used by Formula E is to be rededicated to this project and is therefore no longer available to the racing series.
“It has a big impact when 5,000 people go on a cruise the day after the race,” said Alberto Longo, Formula E Chief Championship Officer, on The Race. “One (impact) of that is parking space, which these people need. It’s going to be where we have our e-village. Basically, the available space is reduced by 80 percent.”
The route itself is not part of the area that will be affected. The area previously used for the “Emotion Club” VIP area will definitely no longer be available after this year.
“As the international organizer of the World Championships, we are not only dependent on the race track, but also on what the location and the event look like,” Longo continues. “We are investigating the situation with the local authorities. We have a fantastic relationship, not only with them but also with the mayor of New York, who was formerly the mayor of Brooklyn.”
New York remains a priority, but alternative locations are also possible
Formula E only recently learned of the plans to use the E-Prix site for other purposes in the future. “Having received this communication just literally three weeks ago, we need time to study the real impact of the new relationship between the cruise terminal and Formula E,” explains the Spaniard. “Therefore, we made a responsible decision to put it (the actual New York date) on the calendar without a venue. But New York is not just an option for us. It’s still a top priority for Formula E to get there drive.”
At the same time, however, investigations and talks are being conducted with other cities in the United States. Various US cities had shown interest in an E-Prix in the past. Formula E even ran races in its first seasons in Miami and Long Beach. “Of course we’re also looking at other options in the US,” confirms Longo. “If this venue (in New York) is no longer suitable for Formula E due to the restrictions that we will have, then we will move to another location.”
What may be the last E-Prix in New York City is again planned as a “double header” in about a week’s time: on July 16th and 17th, races 11 and 12 of the current season are on the schedule.
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