The ABB FIA Formula E Championship will bring racing back to Switzerland after an absence of over 60 years when the Zurich E-Prix, round ten of the 2017/18 season, gets underway this weekend (10 June).

The stars and cars of the all-electric series will line up to race in the heart of the city, on a 2.465km track which comprises 11 turns passing along the harbourfront of Lake Zurich.

The stage is certainly set for a thrilling inaugural Swiss race. TECHEETAH’s Jean-Eric Vergne could conceivably wrap up the driver’s title, but he’ll need to out-score DS Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird by more than 18 points to be uncatchable at the season finale in New York City. On a circuit which is new for all the drivers, the battle between these two drivers which has lasted all season will be fascinating this weekend.

Behind the top two, Mahindra’s Felix Rosenqvist, who in the first part of the season was very much in the title fight, will have to turn his recent fortunes around if he is to maintain his championship position. A non-score in Berlin last time out means he is now just a single point ahead of Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s Daniel Abt, who enjoyed a perfect home weekend with pole position, fastest lap and the race win.

Long-time Formula E rivals Sebastien Buemi (Renault e.dams) and Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler), find themselves in fifth and sixth in the standings respectively, though both have had contrasting seasons. After a torrid time for Audi in the opening races, the reigning champion di Grassi has now had an impressive run of four consecutive second places which have brought him back up the order, while Buemi’s results have ebbed and flowed as the season has progressed. Both drivers are still chasing a first victory of the season, but Swiss driver Buemi will certainly be hoping to capitalise on the support of his home crowd.

It is also a home race for Swiss/Italian national Edoardo Mortara, who returns to race for Venturi having missed the last E-Prix in Berlin, while Mahindra’s Nick Heidfeld is a Zurich resident, so can count this as something of second home race in succession.

FIA Smart Cities Forum

The Zurich E-Prix will host the final FIA Smart Cities Forum of the year. In collaboration with ‘eDays’, the official supporting programme of the Zurich E-Prix, the FIA will lead the discussion on the future of sustainable mobility, bringing the innovation of the Formula E ecosystem together with an engaging line up of international speakers.

The focus of the forum will be on “Smart Data for Shaping the Cities of Tomorrow”, with a series of keynotes and panel discussions highlighting the collaborative and complementary nature of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as it brings key messages of sustainable urban mobility to another new world-leading city. For more information, visit the FIA Smart Cities website here.

Championship standings: