FIA: Formula E series gets World Championship status

MANILA: Formula E is entering the big leagues. Six years and six seasons into the series, it will be officially recognized as a World Championship beginning this 2020. The racing event, which has been renamed to ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, will soon join the ranks of Formula 1, World Endurance, World Rally, and World Rallycross.

“The creation and development of Formula E has been a great adventure. I am proud that today we confirm its FIA world championship status,” said Jean Todt, President of Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

Formula E was a brainchild of Todt. He was behind the idea of starting a city-based racing competition for single-seat electric race cars. However, it was Spanish businessman and former politician Alejandro Agag who helped him see it through. This would explain why Agag was named Founder and Chairman of the Formula E Series.

The recognition came after the FIA World Motor Sport Council voted to approve its application for World Championship status. Agag and Todt finalized the agreement with FIA at the latter’s headquarters in Paris.

Of course, getting to this point took more than paperwork. Formula E had to meet certain criteria for it to be awarded the prestigious title. It had to garner at least four competing manufacturers and race in three continents.

So far, Formula E has ten car manufacturers pitting against one another. On its first season alone, it held races in four continents – namely, Asia, South America, North America, and Europe.

“It was always our ambition to one day become [a> FIA world championship. Everything we have done and delivered to this point has been working towards this particular moment in time,” Agag shared.

Other factors may have also influenced FIA’s decision. One of which is its steady rise to fame. The Formula E series managed to find an audience over the years and has recently caught the eye of two major automakers – Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.

FIA can also tout Formula E as their eco-friendly championship. By adopting the electric racing league into their fold, the organization has future-proofed itself against environmental critics.

“Now we can say we have done it. But it is only the beginning of a new chapter under the banner of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship,” Agag concludes.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will start in the 2020-21 season. It won’t be replacing Formula 1 anytime soon. However, as more automakers shift to electric race cars, it is expected to continue gaining traction in years to come.

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