The FIA Formula E series has confirmed its pre-season test will go ahead at Jarama amid tragic flooding near Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo Circuit.
Severe flooding has affected the region surrounding Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit, claiming an unthinkable tally of 150 lives and counting.
With Season 11 fast approaching in Formula E, the routine pre-season test running from November 4-7 in Valencia had been cast in serious doubt.
Following the devastation in the local area, Formula E announced on Thursday that it will move its pre-season test to the Madrid-based Jarama circuit, with running taking place on November 5-8.
“We have all been monitoring the tragic situation in Valencia, where flash floods have devastated the region and claimed many lives,” a statement read.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these terrible events and we at Formula E are looking at how we can practically support the region during this awful time.
“Following consultation with local authorities, the FIA and our colleagues at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, we have decided not to proceed with our pre-season test in Valencia, planned for 4-7 November.”
Formula E didn’t want to distract from relief efforts in Valencia
Formula E’s statement continued, adding that “while it may have been possible to go ahead logistically, it is important not to create any distraction or use valuable resources that are much better served supporting the local community.
“We have a number of Formula E team members who have been working on the ground in Valencia over the past week, and we want to personally thank them for everything they’ve done, and continue to do, to support the area.
“The pre-season test is an important moment in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar ahead of Season 11 starting in Sao Paulo on 6-7 December, as it allows us to check the new GEN3 Evo cars for safety, and also to establish that we can safely and effectively deploy new technologies.
“We have also planned for the first-ever Women’s Test to take place during this event.
“Therefore, we have taken the decision to secure an alternative location, and Circuito del Jarama in Madrid will host both the FIA Formula E Official Test and the Women’s Test next week, scheduled for Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 November.
“The full event schedule will be confirmed in due course, as we navigate a number of logistical and operational challenges which will determine if it’s possible to move our test operations to Madrid within this timeframe.
“Our first thoughts are with the community of Valencia. The city has a special place in our hearts: it has been ever-present on our calendar since 2017 and we have recently moved our operations base there.
“It is like a second home for Formula E. We will support the community to recover from these tragic events in any way we can, and ensure that while our testing continues in Madrid, it is done with the utmost sensitivity.”
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