The Forum - which is taking place at the Leipziger Messe area and runs to Friday 20th May - takes as its theme for this year “Green and Inclusive Transport” - something that shares the same DNA as the series for electric powered single-seaters

It fell to FIA President Jean Todt and Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag to welcome the guests, including the Danish Transport Minister Hans-Christian Schmidt and the Greek Transport Deputy Minister Marina Chrysoveloni, the Executive Secretary and Under-Secretary-General, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Christian Friis Bach and the Secretary General of the International Transport Forum José Viegas, along with over 40 members of the accredited media.

“The reason why we are here today is because we would like to show you something unique in the shape of a fully electric single-seater, the car which competes in the first fully-electric FIA Championship, Formula E,” said Todt. “Established in 2014, this championship sees nine teams and 18 drivers competing in the centre of some of the most important cities in the world – Beijing, Buenos Aires and Mexico City among others.  A few weeks ago there was a race in the heart of Paris and this coming Saturday there will be the Berlin ePrix, taking place just next to the Alexanderplatz. Formula E aims to push the development of electric engine technology and, at the same time, promote electric mobility, aiming particularly at the younger generation through the medium of motor sport.”

After Abt had driven a few demonstration laps around the Leipziger Messe pavilion, it was José Viegas’ turn to get behind the wheel of the car to find out for himself what it’s like to drive a completely electric powered racing machine, thus cementing the relationship between such an important event in the world of mobility and the FIA championship which, probably more than any other, is a kindred spirit in this theme.

At the same time, less than 200 kilometres away from Leipzig, work on preparing the race track which will host this Saturday’s BME i Berlin ePrix, the third round of the 2015-16 Formula E Championships was coming to a close. So after making another important connection with the world of mobility, it’s back to the battle for victory in the two championships, as the season heads for its thrilling final stages.

Having taken part in the International Transport Forum, FIA President Jean Todt is set to rejoin Formula E festivities in the German capital this weekend. On 19 May, at the invitation of José Viegas, he had the opportunity to address the Open Ministerial Session, recalling the importance of building trust and ensuring transparency in order for consumers to fully embrace the transition towards greener and more inclusive transport (click here to read the full speech). Todt emphasised that Formula E is an example of what the FIA can do to promote innovative mobility, both through the excitement of racing and through inclusive partnerships with local authorities.