The promoter of the planned Formula E race in Brussels says it will be "very difficult" to find a new venue for the event after the regional government voted against the planned location last week.
Brussels was listed on the first provisional season three Formula E calendar last summer, and was originally planned to be held in the Heysel part of the city before being moved to Koekelberg.
Last week, government officials voted against hosting the race in Koekelberg due to pressures it would create, putting the round in doubt.
Formula E issued a statement following the news confirming it still had an agreement in principle to hold a race in Brussels this year, relying a suitable location could be found.
Event promoter Stéphan Uhoda reiterated his commitment to finding a new venue for Formula E in Brussels, but conceded that it is an increasingly challenging task that could result in the race being postponed until 2018.
"We are very disappointed by this [government] decision, but we understand that it is still a quite new project with a new urban race approach. Public authorities and the neighbourhood are very cautious and need to be reassured, which takes time," Uhoda told Motorsport Week.
"It is becoming very difficult to find another place to race in Brussels this year but we are still looking with Formula E and the city.
"In case we cannot find one quickly, we hope to take profit of our experience of this year to solve all the local problems from now and have a great race in Brussels in 2018."
The inaugural Brussels ePrix is provisionally planned to be held on July 1, 2017.
Discussion about this post