Switzerland in line for slot on 2015/16 Formula E calendar
The calendar for the 2015/16 Formula E season could expand to 11 events if plans for a race in Switzerland come to fruition
An organising body called Swiss ePrix Lugano has been set up with the intention of bringing the all-electric championship to the lakeside city in the south of the country.
At last year's London finale, it claims Lugano mayor Marco Borradori agreed an exclusive deal with Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag for the city to host the Swiss round of the series.
A spokesperson for Swiss ePrix Lugano told AUTOSPORT the event would "be an option for the second Formula E season, too, if local organisers meet all conditions required by Formula E Holdings".
AUTOSPORT understands this will result in a round on May 7, 2016, if the organiser - which claims to have secured a three-year deal with the series with the option of an additional three - can raise €10million from local partners to fund the event by September 30.
Trulli Formula E team founders Jarno Trulli and Lucio Cavuto were present at a gala event in aid of the project in July, with the Lugano-based ex-Formula 1 driver believed to be a key partner to the event.
Alberto Longo - deputy CEO and managing director of Formula E - has visited Lugano to begin a feasibility study, while the event has picked up the support of Federal councillor Doris Leuthard, head of the Swiss Federal Department for Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications.
Motor racing had been banned in Switzerland since the 1955 Le Mans disaster in which a number of spectators were killed, until a relaxation in its law earlier this year.
Sebastien Buemi told AUTOSPORT the prospect of a home Formula E race excited him and would be massive for the country.
"We never had any races or circuits of any kind," he said. "The day Formula E would come into Switzerland it would be a huge thing for Swiss people.
"We still had some great drivers with Jo Siffert, Clay Regazzoni and Marc Surer in Formula 1 and we have a lot of people interested in motorsport.
"Clearly it would be a great thing to have a race. If they put it into season two I don't know how they're going to manage it in the calendar, so let's wait and see.
"I'm really hoping to finally see it on the calendar and that would be something huge for me, my family, my friends and Swiss people in general."
A May 7 date would place the Swiss event between the French and German rounds of the championship, making it the ninth of 11 events.
Nicolas Prost fastest on final day of pre-season Formula E testing
Trulli Formula E team to persevere with own powertrain for 2015/16
The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season
The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season
Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge
Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1 Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
Horner: Perez's concerns over Verstappen Saudi GP pace "normal"
Horner: Perez's concerns over Verstappen Saudi GP pace "normal" Horner: Perez's concerns over Verstappen Saudi GP pace "normal"
FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy
FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy
NASCAR Cup Atlanta: Logano takes first win of 2023 after last-lap pass on Keselowski
NASCAR Cup Atlanta: Logano takes first win of 2023 after last-lap pass on Keselowski NASCAR Cup Atlanta: Logano takes first win of 2023 after last-lap pass on Keselowski
The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic
The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic
How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter
How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter
Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence
Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence
The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era
The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era
How Wehrlein's Diriyah double reveals Formula E's form book shake-up
How Wehrlein's Diriyah double reveals Formula E's form book shake-up How Wehrlein's Diriyah double reveals Formula E's form book shake-up
The first impressions of Formula E's brave new era
The first impressions of Formula E's brave new era The first impressions of Formula E's brave new era
How Dennis dominated Formula E's new generation opener
How Dennis dominated Formula E's new generation opener How Dennis dominated Formula E's new generation opener
Is this a Formula E 'nearly man's' best chance yet at title glory?
Is this a Formula E 'nearly man's' best chance yet at title glory? Is this a Formula E 'nearly man's' best chance yet at title glory?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.