30/07/2025 19:30
The city of Phoenix is targeting to host Formula E in the opening
months of 2027, to feature in the first season of Gen4. FE's new
era of race car will be introduced at the end of 2026 for the start
of Season 13, with Season 11 having concluded last weekend in
London. Phoenix is looking for an FIA single-seater championship
to return to the city, having not hosted F1 for 34 years. FE is
known to be keen on holding multiple races in the United States,
but has settled for just the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for next
season. The championship's CEO, Jeff Dodds, has spent considerable
time in Phoenix, meeting senior figures in both the city and the
state of Arizona. Talks of a race in Phoenix first started in 2023,
around the time of the first Portland E-Prix. Following a week in
the city, FE, the Phoenix City Council and the Greater Phoenix
Economic Council discussed three potential circuits, with the
series having preferred a track around Papago Park. "We're hopeful
now [Formula E] will add us to their annual circuit in the first
quarter of 2027," said Phoenix Host Committee member Brad Wright,
as quoted by Arizona Daily Independent . Unfortunately, according
to local reports, the city of Tempe has rejected the proposal for a
race to take place around Papago Park, raising concerns of the
cost. Phoenix is now looking at new options to bring FE to the
city. It has taken inspiration from Miami, who hosted the
all-electric series for the first time earlier this year since
2015. "I can't emphasise enough how hard they've worked to
overcome obstacles and make this work," Wright said. "Within the
city of Phoenix, it's really been a function of finding a location
that lays out well for a race, has all the turns and runouts and
things that make for an exciting race… "These races require a lot
of additional space for staging. You've got to build the garages,
the pits, the grandstands, there's a big fan zone where this will
activate. "You think we've got a ton of area around Phoenix, but
when you really drill that down to find a place that's central,
where it's easy for people to get to, there aren't a ton of
options." Formula E eager for Phoenix race It is not only Phoenix
pushing for the race to happen, FE is equally hoping to add the
city to its calendar. As outlined by Dodds, he views the American
city as an "amazing location" for the championship, with a 2027
debut race making "perfect" sense. "I've been over to Phoenix many
times," Dodds told RacingNews365 during an interview. "I've met the
state of Arizona. I've met the city officials at Phoenix, and I've
met a lot of the commercial partners there and a lot of people
around it. "I went to the Phoenix Open and saw how they did
hospitality. I think Phoenix would be an amazing location for
Formula E. The fifth biggest city in the US, one of the fastest
economic growth cities. "Very tech centric, great climate, vibrant,
sports, culture, Phoenix Suns. So look, I think there's a load of
good stuff coming out of Phoenix. They are very keen to do
something. "We're really interested in doing something. And if
there's something going to happen, I think Season 13 will be a
perfect time for it to hit the calendar."
