Battersea Park Street Circuit

Battersea Park Street Circuit was a motor racing circuit located in Battersea Park, London, England from 2015 to 2016. It hosted the final two races of the 2014–15 Formula E season, and also the second season. The track was 2.925 km (1.818 mi) in length and featured 17 turns.

Battersea Park Circuit
LocationLondon, England
Time zoneGMT (UTC+0)
BST (April–October, UTC+1)
Coordinates51°28′45″N 0°09′26″W / 51.47917°N 0.15722°W / 51.47917; -0.15722
Opened26 June 2015; 9 years ago (2015-06-26)
Closed3 July 2016; 8 years ago (2016-07-03)
ArchitectSimon Gibbons
Major eventsFormula E
London ePrix (2015–2016)
Street Circuit (2015–2016)
Length2.925 km (1.818 miles)
Turns17
Race lap record1:24.150 (Switzerland Sébastien Buemi, Renault Z.E 15, 2016, Formula E)
The circuit ran through Battersea Park

There was controversy over circuit's installation in a Grade II* listed park, and it was announced in 2016 that the Formula E race would not be held there again.

History

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The track was designed by Formula E's London event team and British architect Simon Gibbons. Wandsworth Council approved of the circuit and the double race on 19 February 2015.[1]

The circuit was criticized for being too narrow and too bumpy, with Jérôme d'Ambrosio suffering broken suspension.[2] A last-minute change to turn 1 had to be implemented and the race had to be started under a pace car.[3]

There was controversy over the park circuit taking place in a Grade II* listed park, with opposition to the disruption the races and subsequent build period would cause to a free public space. Around the race weekends a majority of the park was closed to the public for four days with a three-week disruption period. The local community set up a group to oppose any further races in the park.[4]

In June 2016 Formula E announced that, on the basis of understanding between Formula E and the Battersea Park Action Group, Formula E would not return.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Green light for 'double header' London ePrix in Battersea Park". FIA Formula E. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  2. ^ "Turn 1 exit resurfaced – Formula E". Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  3. ^ http://formulaspy.com/formula-e/formula-e-news/mods-turn-1-means-safety-car-start-london-eprix-16110[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Save Battersea Park community group". Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  5. ^ Council, Wandsworth. "Formula E - Consultation Forum meeting minutes | Wandsworth Council". www.wandsworth.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.