FORMULA E are expected to delay their season finale in London as the race track has been turned into a hospital.
The all-electric racing series had drawn up radical plans for a circuit around the ExCel centre in London’s Docklands.
Formula E races were held in Battersea ParkCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The ExCel Centre was due to become a rack track but has now been turned into an emergency hospitalCredit: AP:Associated Press
However, the site has now been turned into the Nightingale, a temporary hospital to ease the burden on the NHS due to the coronavirus.
The double-header had been scheduled for July 25 and 26 yet that date now looks unrealistic.
Brit Sam Bird, who drives for the Envision Virgin Racing team, says it is understandable if the date is shifted.
He said: “The date for that race has been set in stone for a while but the ExCel is being used by the NHS for people with the coronavirus.
“If it continues spreading and London is still in lockdown, then the date would have to be moved.
“Hopefully it will be over and we can all go racing again but I know Formula E is working hard on a contingency plan to get the season running as soon as they can.”
Formula E have suspended all racing until at least June 21 and while Bird is not up for the season to be ended immediately after just five races, he says there will come a time when the series has to make a decision.
He added: “I don’t think anyone wants to see a cancelled season that would be difficult for the drivers and manufacturers who are doing well.
“Formula E were one of the first sports to see what was happening with the coronavirus but as for scrapping the season, that would be a big call.
“But the next season has to start at some point so the longer you progress season six, the longer you are going to delay the start of season seven.
“There has to be a point where you say this season is finished. It is a much shorter calendar but it is done and now we do a full season seven.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk