Formula E set to use full Monaco layout in 2019

Formula E is set to switch to the full Monaco Grand Prix circuit layout upon the all-electric series' return to the principality in 2019.

Monaco first hosted Formula E in its inaugural season in 2015 before the series returned in 2017, having struck a deal to alternate running each year with the Monaco Historic GP two weeks before the Formula l1 race.

A revised layout of the Monaco circuit has been used for Formula E that sees drivers take a sharp-right at Sainte Devote before negotiating a straight that then leads to the Nouvelle Chicane, which becomes a hairpin. The rest of the lap including Tabac, the Swimming Pool chicane and La Rascasse remained unchanged.

However, Formula E drivers expressed their opinion that the full Monaco lap should be used instead, with paddock understanding being that CEO Alejandro Agag had given his word to series champions Lucas di Grassi and Sebastien Buemi that the change would be made for the future.

Agag has now gone on-record to confirm the change will take place for Formula E's return to Monaco in 2019, when the new, faster 'Gen 2' cars will be racing after debuting at the start of the series' fifth season.

"Monaco is back and we will use the full track,” Agag told e-racing365.

“The short track was too small. It was OK, but it is much better for us to race on the big one."

As well as the return of Monaco, Formula E's Season 5 calendar is expected to feature some new events, with the series confirming in January that talks were ongoing with Qatar over a possible race in its capital, Doha.

Other possible new venues include Beirut and Cairo, with the provisional 2018/19 calendar set to be confirmed towards the end of the current season that finishes in New York on July 15.