Rome agrees five-year extension to host Formula E with revised layout

Rome will continue to host a round on the Formula E calendar for a further five years, with the all-electric series racing around a new track layout.

The Rome E-Prix will act as the third round on this year’s revised 2021 Formula E calendar on 10 April, with Italy returning to the schedule for the first time since 2019 after being cancelled last year due to the coronavirus.

For Formula E’s seventh season, and its first as an FIA world championship, a new track layout has been revealed in the City of Rome’s EUR district that will extend the circuit’s previous length from 2.86km to 3.385km.

The revised circuit layout will incorporate the Coliseum Square, as well of new track sections near the Palazzo dei Congressi and Piazzale Marconi, while the entire Ninfeo Park will feature along the perimeter. The famous Rome Convention Centre at the heart of the EUR district will also included.

There will be three new fast turns, an additional section of more technical turns, and the old circuit’s traditional ups and downs that have proved popular with the drivers.

A small section in Via Cristoforo Columbo is set to help reduce the impact on the city’s traffic as well as minimising disruption to urban mobility in the days leading up to the race.

Although fans’ attendance at the race this year is dependent on COVID-19 restrictions, facilities in the Allianz E-Village have also been enhanced and upgraded, while larger stands will be erected, including one in Ninfeo Park.

Renato Bisignani, Formula E General Manager for Italy, said: "With the extension of our agreement with Roma Capitale for another five years, we have taken the opportunity to adapt our track and our event, learning from the past and building a long-term plan for Formula E in the EUR district.

“The investments we have dedicated to Rome in this difficult year demonstrate the constant vision for the future that is at the heart of Formula E. Rome is one of the drivers' favourite tracks and we have tried to work on maintaining the same characteristics from a sporting point of view, making the track even more exciting than it was in previous years.

“The track fully embodies Formula E's DNA, and we hope to receive the same feedback from our fans".

The upcoming 2021 season gets underway with a double-header night race in Saudi Arabia on 26-27 February.