"Currently talking to 3 major cities" - Formula E is working on a return to India

As the fourth largest automotive market in the world, India has been one of the core markets for Formula E for many years, making the cancellation of the Hyderabad E-Prix 2024 just a few weeks before the start of the season all the more painful. However, the search for a new location in India continues to take shape.

With the start of the Gen3 era, another major goal seemed to have been achieved at an operational level in addition to the new car: finally a first race in India. In Hyderabad to be precise. However, after just one edition, Formula E had to leave the city in southern India again, as there was no longer any political support for the race following a change in local politics.

A return to India is essential for the electric series due to the size of the automotive market and two manufacturers (Mahindra and Jaguar - part of the Tata Group). Accordingly, India plays a central role in the calendar planning.

"India is a tier 1 market for us," says Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo at Press Trust of India. "We are working every day to get back there. We are currently talking to three major cities - that's all I can reveal. There is a lot of interest in a Formula E race in India."

Alberto Longo: "Hopefully it will work out in 2026"

It is not yet clear when a return to the world's most populous country could take place. "Hopefully in 2026," says Longo. That would be the next possibility, as the race calendar for the upcoming 2024/25 season is already known, but does not include a race in India.

But the Formula E bosses still have a lot of work to do before then. "It is much more difficult to organise a completely new race than to return to an existing location. That's why there is so much frustration about the situation in Hyderabad."

Even though the Hyderabad E-Prix was cancelled after just one edition, Formula E CCO Longo wants to hold on to the DNA of the circuit above all else: "The event was incredible, and we also need to focus on a street circuit again," he clarifies.

Jeff Dodds also open to permanent race track

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds is a little more flexible: "I am completely open to a street circuit in India, but I would not reject a permanent circuit if it gives us the opportunity to return."

He also sees a similar strategy as a success in China. "We came back to China with a race on a permanent circuit. But I would also love a city race in China. The same goes for India."