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Formula E eyes New York finale for 2016/17 calendar

Formula E could add a race in New York to its calendar as early as season three

Series CEO Alejandro Agag identified the iconic city as one of a raft of possible new hosts for the all-electric championship.

Agag will travel to the United States this month as part of a schedule that includes visiting the Middle East and Asia as he looks to lock down the 2016/17 calendar.

"My dream is to race in New York," he told Autosport. "I'm actively working on a plan to race there.

"I can place the race at the end of season three, maybe.

"It will be difficult but it's not totally impossible we will do it in season three.

"It's very early days [but] we really need to start making choices now.

"We have a good, interesting line-up."

Potential season-three races in Canada, Australia and Switzerland have been discussed over the last year, with other options on the table - including a December or January race in the Middle East.

The championship is set to increase its 10-event programme for next season, and existing host cities could be dropped to avoid going over a self-imposed limit of 12.

"One or two might fall out - Punta it's not clear we're going to continue, unfortunately," Agag said.

"I love going there. We have some conversations there but Punta is the main candidate [to be dropped].

"We have to make our mind up on Beijing - I'm inclined to keep it. Prioritising key markets makes sense."

CURTAIN RAISER OR BUST FOR BEIJING

Beijing has kicked off the first two Formula E campaigns, although a Canadian race, which Agag called "a very strong candidate" for addition, was previously mooted as a potential season-three curtain raiser.

The weather could play a part in Beijing retaining its first-round slot, because it would have to take place before the already-confirmed October 9 race in Hong Kong.

"If we have Beijing, it will be the season opener," said Agag. "Last year we had to delay it and we were very close to freezing.

"We were super lucky there was a window of good weather. The weekend before was disastrous and after it was snowed in.

"We don't want to go to Beijing in October. We really want to do it in September. It is the only window."

LATER START EYED FOR FUTURE SEASONS

Kicking off the third season in September would present teams with an off-season of less than three months.

Agag admits this situation is not ideal but is open to beginning future calendars as late as December to extend the gap between campaigns.

"My preference would be to push back the start of the championship to November or December," he said. "That to June, or even July as we have this year, is preferable for everyone, and to put the races closer.

"This year to delay it is impossible, but for season four the preference is to be later."

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