Formula E cancels Hyderabad E-Prix for 2024, alleges contract breach by Telangana government

The race was scheduled to be held on February 10.

Formula E has announced the cancellation of the Hyderabad E-Prix, originally scheduled for February 10, citing a contract breach by the new Telangana government. The decision has sparked criticism from various quarters, including K T Rama Rao, the working president of BRS and a minister in the previous BRS government.

Rao expressed his disappointment on a social media platform, terming the move as “poor and regressive.” He emphasized that events like the Hyderabad E-Prix enhance the global image of the city and the country. The BRS government had previously used the race as an opportunity to conduct a week-long Electric Vehicle (EV) Summit, attracting enthusiasts, manufacturers, and startups to showcase Hyderabad as an attractive investment destination.

In a statement, Formula E has said it has cancelled the Hyderabad ePrix scheduled for February due to a breach of contract by the local authorities. 🏎😔#FormulaE #HyderabadEPrix pic.twitter.com/Zkf3u5H84E

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) January 6, 2024

The cancellation comes following a decision by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (MAUD), under the control of the Government of Telangana, not to fulfill the Host City Agreement signed on October 30, 2023.

The inaugural electric race in the country was held in February last year in Hyderabad, and the second Formula E race in India was scheduled to be held on February 10.

Last week, Formula E issued a statement seeking “urgent clarification” from the new Congress government in Telangana on fulfilling the contractual obligations under the agreement and how it could impact the race. Despite discussions in December, there has been no response from the Congress government, making it increasingly unlikely for the event to proceed.

It was suggested that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who opposed the race last year, may not prioritize the Formula E event.

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Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and chief Championship Officer of Formula E, said, “We are extremely disappointed for the huge motorsport fanbase in India. We know that hosting an official motorsport world championship race is an important and prestigious occasion for Hyderabad and the whole country.

“The President of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), Akbar Ebrahim, and his team have been incredibly supportive in bringing Formula E back to Hyderabad. They share our disappointment in the decision of the Government of Telangana, which means that it will not happen.”

The cancellation of the Hyderabad E-Prix after just one season raises questions about the future of Formula E in India.

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