Montreal to host next Formula-E season opener

Autosport.com is reporting that Montreal is gearing up to host the opening race of the all-electric Formula-E series’ third season.

The announcement comes as the inaugural season winds down with two races to go, in Moscow on June 6 and London, June 28. The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) and the city of Montreal have reportedly been in talks since last year, and Montreal mayor Denis Coderre travelled to Miami to see the March 14 race in that city. Nothing has been confirmed, but the likelihood seems good that this will happen.

Surprisingly, the race would not be held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but on a downtown road course: FIA CEO Alejandro Agag says mayor Coderre has expressed a preference for a street circuit, which Agag suggests suits the FIA just fine.

Such an event would be a good fit in a world-class city like Montreal, but our only question is how Formula E cars handle potholes, which have become a Montreal landmark, along with the rest of its crumbling infrastructure. If the FIA does include Montreal in its 2016/2017 season, the city’s paving crews will have their work cut out bringing the broken asphalt of centre-ville up to snuff for the ground-hugging Formula E racecars.

This planned expansion of the Formula E series comes amid lingering doubts about its future and ridicule from longtime racing fans questioning the legitimacy of racecars that sound about as thrilling as supercharged sewing machines.

Moscow hosts the next Formula E race this Saturday, June 6.