Formula E plans Spain race for 2024, Cupra CEO Griffiths: "Would like to see Barcelona"

The Spanish manufacturer Cupra entered Formula E as the new title sponsor and technical partner of the German ABT team a couple of months ago. It is therefore hardly surprising that Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Cupra and its parent company Seat, would like to bring the electric racing series to the Iberian peninsula. The return of Formula E to Spain in the coming season is not even unrealistic.

Formula E has held an E-Prix in Spain only once in its first nine seasons: in the 2021 pandemic season, a "double-header" took place in Valencia. However, not in the city center, but on the permanent Circuit Ricardo Tormo race track west of the city, where the electric series has already held its annual pre-season tests since 2017. After this one-off appearance, Spain disappeared again from the Formula E calendar.

This is set to change soon, however, if Cupra has its way. The Spanish manufacturer, whose name is short for "Cup Racing," supports a return of Formula E to its home market. "I would like Formula E to race in Spain because it has a positive impact on our group," CEO Wayne Griffiths told 'Il Messagero.'

"Of course I would like it to race in Barcelona, and I also have an idea how it would work: If we had to be fast, it would be at the Formula 1 circuit in Montmelo," the Brit explains. "But Formula E actually has to race in the city. I have in mind Montjuic in the heart of Barcelona, near the Olympic Stadium. The track has already been part of the Rally of Catalunya."

Longo: "Looking forward to going to Madrid or another Spanish city"

According to information from 'e-Formula.news', Formula E could indeed return to Spain as early as next season. Barcelona or Valencia, however, are not the top candidates: As our colleagues at 'The Race' reported a few weeks ago already, the electric series is said to be planning an E-Prix in the Mediterranean metropolis of Malaga. But the Spanish capital is also on Formula E's radar.

"I am Spanish, and Alejandro (Agag), my partner, is also Spanish," explains Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo in an interview with 'autobild.es'. "We are looking forward to going to Madrid or another big Spanish city. We have talked to many cities and we are still in discussions. But I think it will be very tight with the race in Spain. I can't say much more yet, but it will be tight."

A first version of the new race calendar for the tenth Formula E season, possibly with a race in Spain, is to be published as early as next week. That's when the next meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council will take place. An initial draft for 2024 will be adopted then.