The second instalment of the Hyderabad E-Prix is at risk of being cancelled, with the event potentially set to drop off Formula E’s season 10 calendar just six weeks before it was scheduled to take place.
The dramatic news was reported on Wednesday evening by The Race, with the São Paulo E-Prix on March 16 now likely going to become the fourth round of the 2024 campaign which gets underway in just over two weeks in Mexico City. No alternative city will reportedly replace Hyderabad, meaning there is now a hugely concerning seven-week break between the rounds in Diriyah and São Paulo.
According to the report, the Hyderabad round is set to be cancelled as a result of recent elections, with emergency talks between key staff of the all-electric series, Formula E chief operating officer and co-founder Alberto Longo and city officials having found no resolution.
It’s been well documented that Formula E have communicated tirelessly with city officials in Hyderabad to ensure that the event can take place, after initial doubts were raised earlier this year. The all-electric series is believed to have held conversations quickly after recent local elections in the Indian city, which resulted in political changes.
Based on a source of The Race, the talks were described as “a highly complex and sensitive situation”. Formula E are continuing to hold discussions with the new administration in Hyderabad, who are reportedly focusing on other initiatives in the city due to growing pressure.
However, just prior to Christmas, a point was reached where negotiations reached a deadlock in regard to the February event.
Hyderabad is now under the control of a new administration – which is supposedly difficult for Formula E – after ex-incumbent IPS leader Anjani Kumar was suspended, resulting in Congress taking command in the Telangana province.
Given the struggles already experienced just to get Hyderabad onto the season 10 calendar, it’s a hugely disappointing development so close to the season getting underway. It means season 10 won’t be the sport’s biggest calendar ever, as it’ll revert to 16 races across 10 cities if Hyderabad is officially removed.
It remains to be seen whether Hyderabad will return to the Formula E calendar in 2025 or beyond, whilst the situation will also raise concerns over whether the sport will ever return to India.
Formula E have since stated that they are “seeking urgent clarification” from the new Government of Telangana, as they are at risk of breaching their “contractual commitments”.
“Formula E and the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (now under control of the new Government of Telangana) are in discussions regarding the Host City Agreement signed on 30 October 2023, and the staging of the Hyderabad E-Prix scheduled for Saturday, 10 February 2024,” stated Formula E.
“Following a recent official communication received from the new Government of Telangana, Formula E is seeking urgent clarification of their contractual commitments under the agreement and how it could impact the Hyderabad race. Based on the content of the letter received, Formula E is concerned the race will not be able to go ahead as planned.
“Formula E’s senior executive team met with the new leadership of the Government of Telangana immediately following elections earlier this month. Discussions have been ongoing since then.
“With the event just a few weeks away and in its final stages of preparation, Formula E, partners and suppliers have already made significant commercial investments in the event. The inaugural Hyderabad E-Prix in February this year returned almost 84m USD in positive economic impact to the region, many times more than the overhead costs invested by Formula E and the Government of Telangana.
“Hyderabad is set to host the only official FIA World Championship event in India next year, alongside other iconic world cities including Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin and London, as part of a multi-year agreement between Formula E and the Government of Telangana.
“Further updates will follow in due course.”
