until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
The FIA has recruited Eurosport Events and its parent company, the Discovery group, to promote its new Electric GT Championship.
Due to launch in 2023, the Electric GT series is intended by the governing body to become the world’s leading GT racing championship. It is designed to entice manufacturer entrants keen to showcase their electric sportscar technology with performance that immediately matches traditional GT3 cars.
Eurosport Events has long-standing FIA links from promoting what is now the World Touring Car Cup and the European Rally Championship, and has recently taken on its first FIA electric series as the new PURE ETCR electric touring car championship will become the FIA eTouring Car World Cup from 2022.
Discovery is also among the shareholders in Formula E.
FIA president Jean Todt described the Electric GT Championship, which has no relation to the independent series of a similar name that was floated in the late 2010s, as “an important milestone for motorsport”.
He added: “This concept is sustainable, innovative and embodies our race-to-road approach in terms of technology transfer, making it relevant to manufacturers and road users.
“It is therefore important that this competition is in good hands in terms of promotion.
“In Discovery Group, and its subsidiary Eurosport Events, we have a strong partner experienced in promoting world level motorsport.”
More details of the series’ event format have also been announced, with rounds consisting of a qualifying sprint race on Saturdays before a 45-minute main race on Sundays with what’s described as “super-fast recharging pitstops”.
A minimum of six events across Europe, Asia and the Middle East are planned for the inaugural calendar in 2023, with expansion to the United States for the second season.
There will also be a “built-in esports component”, full details of which will be announced at a later date.
