Sparks at Donington

Teams competing in the new-for-2014, all-electric FIA Formula E Championship will be based at a purpose-built series HQ at Donington Park.

A bespoke 44,000sq ft state-of-the-art facility (above) is under construction in Donington’s western paddock, to the left of the main paddock entrance.

It will incorporate workshops for each team, as well as offices for the series organisers. The decision goes hand in hand with Donington becoming the official test track for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E chassis.

Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said: “We looked at a number of locations around Europe, but the British motor sport industry is regarded as the best in the world so it was an easy decision for us to be based in the UK. Our new facilities at Donington Park provide the perfect central location for operating the FIA Formula E Championship.”

The decision puts the entire Formula E grid on the doorstep of East Midlands Airport, which is a freight hub for transport partner DHL.

Track boss Christopher Tate described the decision of Formula E to locate to Donington as “massive”.

“This is of huge significance for what is really a three-year-old start-up company, despite the long heritage of Donington Park,” he said. “We were always planning to build industrial units on the site, but to have one tenant of such importance is critical. It will help bring a new focus on Donington Park.”

The Formula E cars will not be subject to the noise restrictions placed on Donington. It is planned that the teams will also use the heritage loop, comprising the old Melbourne Hairpin, and what is known as the ‘tarmac lake’ behind Redgate Corner for pitstop practice.

The first confirmed Formula E line-up has been announced by the German Abt team, which will compete under the Audi Sport banner. It has signed Lucas di Grassi, the first driver to test a Spark-Renault, and GP2 racer Daniel Abt.