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France’s Jean-Eric Vergne of the Formula E team Techeetah drives near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Birmingham is set to get its own race. Photo: AFP
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Birmingham in advanced talks to join Formula E race calendar from next season

The street race would bring back memories of the Birmingham Superprix, a Formula 3000 race that was held between 1986 and 1990

Formula E
Reuters
Reuters
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The English city of Birmingham is in advanced talks to host a round of the Formula E electric series next year, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said on Monday.

The street race would bring back memories of the Birmingham Superprix, a Formula 3000 race that was held between 1986 and 1990.

“Over the last year, we have been in negotiations with the organisers of the FIA Formula E Championship about bringing a road race to Birmingham, effectively reviving the Superprix,” British media quoted Street as saying.
Rome is currently one of the cities to have its own E-Prix. Photo: EPA

“We are now in the advanced stages of these negotiations.”

Street said Birmingham wanted to showcase its revamped city centre and also the region’s position “as a world leader in next generation automotive technologies”.

Jaguar Land Rover, which has its own Formula E team, is based in nearby Coventry.

“So much of the engineering that goes into the cars already used in Formula E racing comes from the West Midlands, it makes perfect sense we should be hosting such events,” added Street.
France’s Jean-Eric Vergne celebrates his recent win at the Paris E-Prix. Photo: AFP

“If we are successful in concluding the deal, this Formula E race will take place next summer on a route similar to the one used in the original Superprix.”

Birmingham is also due to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

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Formula E officials were not immediately available for comment. The last round of the championship to be held in England was in London’s Battersea Park in July 2016.

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