London on preliminary 2014 Formula E calendar

London has been included on a list of eight cities submitted to the FIA to host races in the inaugural Formula E season in 2014.

Organisers of the series for electric single-seater cars presented a preliminary calendar to the sport's governing body on Friday, with London being joined by Rome, Los Angeles, Miami, Beijing, Putrajaya, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Zero emission world class motor racing is a scintillating concept and I am hugely keen that London be involved in the birth of Formula E.

"It has the potential to highlight the impressive strides being made in the manufacture of electric vehicles and hosting a street race could also be of considerable benefit to our city."

Formula E: An unlikely saviour?

Formula E also revealed that it has received interest in hosting street races from 23 cities in total.

It is hoping to add two more rounds to the 2014 schedule ahead of having to submit a final calendar to the FIA for approval at the World Motor Sport Council in September.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of promoter Formula E Holdings said: "We are thankful to all the cities that have expressed their willingness to host our races.

"The fact that cities from all over the world are interested in the FIA Formula E championship is extremely heartening and shows a global commitment to clean mobility and sustainability.

"The provisional calendar we publish today is composed of cities in America, Europe and Asia. We look forward to also racing in Africa and Australasia from 2015 onwards."

CITY CENTRES TARGETED

Agag added that he hopes the races can be in the most famous parts of the cities that are on the calendar.

"At the moment we are working with the eight selected cities on the feasibility and design of the street circuits," he said.

"They will all be in city centres, easily accessible by public transport, and will feature some of the most beautiful and well-known landmarks as a spectacular backdrop for the races.

"The fact that we will only race in city centres highlights the main message of our championship: the electric car as a solution for mobility in cities of the future."

The WMSC also announced that Formula E events will be single-day meetings, with practice and qualifying followed by a single 45-minute race.

Each driver in the 20-strong field will change cars during the race, which will feature two mandatory pitstops.