Formula E returns to London in 2023
The finale of the Formula E season will play out before a partisan crowd at the ExCel. Ed Hardy expects an electrifying encounter
One of the positives of the London ePrix – good transport links
Sam Bagnall/formula e
Formula E – London ePrix, ExCeL London, July 29-30
António Félix da Costa once labelled the London ePrix as the “best Formula E event of our history”. So, what better way than for London to close an incredible debut season for the Gen3 era?
Formula E introduced a completely new car for 2023, which was its fastest and lightest yet and 75% more powerful than the Gen1 racer. Porsche started the campaign strongly with three victories in the opening five races, with two of those belonging to Pascal Wehrlein. But trouble soon brewed for the ex-Formula 1 driver with a retirement in Cape Town, before failing to finish above sixth in the following four races.
This is where the Kiwi drivers took over with Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy both clinching two victories, which put the latter into the championship lead. Results have been as open as ever in Formula E’s third generation, while defending champion Stoffel Vandoorne has largely struggled and is nowhere to be seen in the title picture.
Porsche’s German driver Pascal Wehrlein is among this season’s Formula E front-runners
That will all reach its climax with two races in the ExCeL. Cars will charge around the 22-turn track, where drivers race on the periphery of the London arena before finishing their lap in the exhibition hall. This is the circuit’s third appearance on the calendar, and local hero Jake Dennis is on for three wins at his home event. The crowd will no doubt be cheering on the Andretti driver amid what’s described as a carnival-like atmosphere.
Yet there’s a feeling that the festivities will only ramp up in 2023. It’s the first time this British crowd will witness the powerful Gen3 cars, with London not having hosted the final weekend since 2016.
Focus will also fall on the teams championship with Envision, Porsche, Jaguar, Andretti and Penske all having won a race in this wide-open season – but who will leave London as champion?
British GT – Algarve Circuit
Portimão, Portugal, July 22-23
The British GT Championship heads for its sole annual overseas round, the Algarve Circuit on the picturesque Portuguese coast replacing Spa-Francorchamps. It’s the series’ first visit to the sweeping old-school circuit and should provide a treat for competitors and a fresh spectacle for GT watchers.
Formula 1 – Belgian Grand Prix
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, July 28-30
The beloved Spa-Francorchamps will usher F1 into its summer break, after calendar changes shifted the Belgian GP away from its traditional late-August slot. As ever, the grandstands will be full of buoyant Dutch fans all cheering on Max Verstappen, who is gunning for three consecutive victories at Spa.
WRC – Rally Finland
Jyväskylä, Finland, August 3-6
Rally Finland has undergone major changes for its 71st running. Dubbed the ‘Gravel Grand Prix’, drivers face 199 miles of the surface which includes the return of the Myhinpää test after an eight-year absence. It will be the season’s ninth round.
MotoGP – British Grand Prix
Silverstone, Northamptonshire, August 6
Ducati has dominated the season and looks good to make it back-to-back wins on English soil, which hasn’t been done for 10 years. But with 11 rounds after Silverstone, there’s still time for a challenger to emerge.
IndyCar – Music City Grand Prix
Nashville Street Circuit, USA, August 6
Music City has quickly become a trademark event after hitting the right beat on its debut in 2021. Nashville will host this season’s 13th round, with Chip Ganassi Racing on for three consecutive wins here. Drivers face a fast, 11-turn circuit with comparisons made to Baku.
More events
July 15-16 Formula E – Rome, Italy
July 20-23 WRC – Tartu, Estonia
July 21-23 F1 – Hungaroring, Hungary
July 29-30 BTCC – Croft, North Yorkshire