Amit Saraswat 
In the wake of the inaugural Formula E race held earlier this year in Hyderabad, concerns have arisen about the upcoming event scheduled for 10 February 2024. The organizing team faced a setback in August when it was disbanded, casting doubts on the future of the race. While the race was eventually included in Formula E’s 17-race, 11-round calendar announced by the FIA in October, recent developments have raised questions about its possibility.
Formula E issued a statement on Thursday indicating that it is urgently seeking clarification from the new Government of Telangana following a communication that could potentially impact the Hyderabad race. The statement revealed ongoing discussions between Formula E’s senior executive team and the new leadership of the Government of Telangana since the elections earlier this month.
The concerns stem from the content of the letter received, with Formula E expressing apprehension that the race may not proceed as planned. With just a few weeks remaining until the event, the statement highlighted that Formula E, partners, and suppliers have already made significant commercial investments in the race. The inaugural Hyderabad E-Prix in February this year reportedly yielded almost USD 84 million in positive economic impact for the region.
Hyderabad, one of India’s largest cities, is set to host the only official FIA World Championship event in the country next year. The event is part of a multi-year agreement between Formula E and the Government of Telangana, placing it alongside iconic global cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin, and London. In addition, Formula E has also expanded to more cities around the globe, marking this year as the biggest calendar for the electric motorsport championship.
Despite the success of this year’s race, criticisms were pointed at the facilities and the track’s readiness. The street circuit, located near Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad, faced scrutiny for incomplete preparations in the paddock area, with work continuing throughout the race weekend. The Greenko Group, a leading producer of solar, hydrogen, and wind energy, played a key role in promoting the race, with support from the state government of Telangana.
As Formula E awaits clarification from the government, the uncertainty surrounding the Hyderabad race raises concerns about the potential impact on the championship’s global calendar. Further updates are anticipated as the situation unfolds in the coming weeks.
