Formula E deliver UK update as London contract end nears

Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo has ruled out the series continuing to race in London's ExCeL Centre from Gen4, which will be introduced at the end of 2026 (Season 13).

The deal for London’s ExCeL Centre situated east of the UK capital concludes at the end of the upcoming season, with an extension off the cards.

While other venues on the calendar have been deemed as suitable for Gen4 in various simulator tests, the ExCeL Centre’s current layout has issues which cannot be solved.

As explained by Longo, Turns 3 and 4 of the quirky indoor-outdoor track are not suitable for Gen4, with the increased size, power and speed of the new car making racing in another venue in the UK capital not possible for 2027.

Asked if Formula E is focused on moving away from the ExCeL, Longo told select media including RacingNews365: "Well, at the moment, I will say that it's challenging. 

"It's probably that turn three and four in the ExCeL that makes it very challenging, not to say, almost impossible for us to remain there. 

"But the contract actually ends at the end of this season. The long-term contract we have with ExCeL, we respected. What's going to happen in in the following year, obviously we're looking into options as well. 

"Unfortunately, that particular turn, it's basically not doable, not viable to change it. So I don't think ExCeL as such is an option for us, unless they commit to do massive works that probably are not even doable. 

"So, it's the one and only track that we have this year that I don't think unless they do major changes that we could continue, basically, on that particular track. So that's why we have, as you're fully aware, options in the UK."

2028 London return hopes

What has been stressed by Longo, is that the championship will not leave the UK, with both Silverstone and Brands Hatch still holding conversations to host the category in 2027.

However, the series is working on returning to the capital itself in 2028 (Season 14), for the second year of Gen4.

Asked who is leading the UK race for 2027 and if there is even a chance it could fall off the calendar with the exit of the ExCeL, Longo explained: "I think the UK, for us it's a must. Not only the UK, but even London. I would say that is a must."

"And then no, you're going to have to allow me not to reply to you. What is my favourite, or the best contender, at the moment, I think we are working with both of them. And hopefully we will find a viable option for London, for Season 14.

"Definitely, it's something that we're working on day and night, we have very defined priorities. One of them is what we do with the race in London. And we are building up options, in the team, we're working together with Liberty and the FIA to fine tune those options. 

"And trust me, there is nothing off the table. But the only thing that is off the table is not racing in London. That is not going to happen. And there is another priority, which is finding a second racing in the US."