Formula E is to drive in the state capital of Baden-Württemberg.
- After the failed IAA application, you have a plan B in Stuttgart.
- Now Formula E should come to Baden-Württemberg.
- The proposal met with support at Mercedes-Benz.
Stuttgart - Baden-Württemberg's state capital has - like many cities in Germany - a problem. The air in Stuttgart is too dirty , which results in diesel driving bans. Like almost no other city, the Autostadt suffers from the resulting image problem . The fine dust alarm was triggered regularly.
But in Stuttgart - as echo24.de * reports - a solution to this problem has been found. The city, which is considered the birthplace of the automobile , wants to profile itself as a place of modern mobility . A first attempt failed with a bid to host the IAA International Motor Show . Even in the pre-selection, you fell by the wayside.
Formula E in Stuttgart: Plan B in your pocket
But in Swabia, according to StZ.de, you have a plan B: Formula E. This makes sense for several reasons. Firstly, because Formula E - as the name suggests - relies entirely on the electric drive. On the other hand, two manufacturers from Stuttgart, Mercedes and Porsche, are represented in the series with factory teams . Audi and BMW are also represented in the series, which is shaped by German manufacturers *.
In addition, Formula E - unlike its Formula 1 counterpart - drives almost exclusively in city centers and builds on fans. The supporting program of the series is also interesting for the people of Stuttgart. As part of the ePrix - that is the name of the Formula E race - in Berlin, for example, the Greentech Festival of Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg and an exhibition on e-mobility will take place.
Formula E in Stuttgart: Planning is a top priority
Here the circle closes for the unsuccessful IAA application of the state capital of Baden-Württemberg. Because: An extensive supporting program was also planned there .
Like the IAA application, the Formula E project in Stuttgart is a top priority . Instead of the sports administration, the project is subordinate to the "Strategic Planning and Sustainable Mobility" department. And that is subordinate to Mayor Fritz Kuhn.
Formula E in Stuttgart: First talks underway
It still takes a while until the Formula E cars race through Stuttgart . The negotiations have not yet started, as town hall spokeswoman Jasmin Bühler explains: "There are preliminary talks with actors from the Formula E environment. We are currently only discussing the options for what an overall concept could look like."
That Stuttgart replaces the previous location of the German ePrix Berlin does not seem to be an issue. "We remain open to the possibility that more than one race will be held in Germany ," a Formula E spokesman told StZ.de. "We are getting a lot of interest and are having discussions with cities around the world ."
Formula E in Stuttgart: Nothing concrete yet
Accordingly, the green flag for planning has not yet fallen. This also applies to route planning . "The route has not yet been decided. We are not there yet," explains Bühler.
The area between the Cannstatter Wasen and the Mercedes-Benz Museum is an option. A similar solution has also been established in Berlin with the site of the former Tempelhof airport. However, it is also not out of the question that part of the route - as was the case with "Stars & Cars" years ago - is in the Mercedes-Bank-Arena and that the test route will be used by Daimler *.
Formula E in Stuttgart: Clear specification from the FIA
Problems can arise here, however, as the arena is being remodeled for the 2024 European Championship. One thing is certain: the route must be between 2.5 and three kilometers long .
Even if the chances of success are unclear, the "Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team" has a supporter in Stuttgart: "As a participant in Formula E and enthusiastic fans of sustainable mobility, we would welcome the idea of also running a Formula E race in the future here in Stuttgart, the birthplace of the automobile. "
* echo24.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
