Swiss law has been banning motorsport activities within Switzerland’s insular borders from 1955 onwards but a recent law change operated by the Swiss government is paving the way for Formula E.
Formula E has has been gaining momentum in the motor racing world but nobody thought that it will be enough to persuade Switzerland in dropping a ban on motorsports that was introduced back in 1955.
In case you don’t remember or never heard of it, the ban came after a horrific accident that happened during the 1955 Le Mans 24 Hours race when Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes 300 SLR hit Lance Macklin’s Austin-Healey from behind, causing debris to lethally injure 84 people, including Levegh.
Since that day, Switzerland banned all types of racing activities but the upcoming Swiss ePrix will be included in the 2016/2017 Formula E Championship, thanks to a decision of the Council of States that will allow electric racers to do their silent thing on the streets of Geneva.
“We are very happy to get the opportunity to bring Formula E to Switzerland and would like to thank our Swiss partners for their forceful support,” said Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag, according to Autosport.
These news come after only two weeks ago, Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro took the Spark-Renault SRT_01E for a spin around the city, during the Geneva Motor Show. For now, it is unclear whether the Swiss ePrix will take place on a circuit or will use city streets as racing grounds.
We do incline to think the second one is a more viable choice, especially since Switzerland’s last important motoring event took place more than 60 years ago on the Bremgarten circuit near Bern.
Below you’ll find a video from Julius Baer (official global partner of Formula E) giving full backing of a potential Swiss ePrix after the country adopted a new law that allows electric racing.
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