The second round of the third FIA Formula E season takes place on 12th November in Marrakesh, marking the series’ first visit to Africa, making Oceania the only continent that does not yet feature on the Formula E calendar.

Coincidentally, from 7th to 18th November, the Moroccan city is also playing host to the 22nd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP22. The partnership between these two events, announced back on 17th October, serves to reinforce the strong links between the first FIA championship for totally electrically-powered cars and the concept of environmental sustainability. “Formula E is a great example of an FIA championship among the Federation’s two main pillars - sport and mobility,” said FIA President Jean Todt . “We are delighted that Formula E has decided to become a partner of COP22 on the occasion of the first edition of the Marrakesh ePrix. As part of the FIA mission to promote clean transport systems available to all, we are looking to encourage the development and adoption of sustainable technologies. Formula E is a fantastic laboratory that will enable the development of clean technologies for all’.”

The Marrakesh ePrix track is the street circuit used for the FIA WTCC, modified with the removal of the chicane prior to the final corner. Its overall length is therefore 2.971 km and competitors will tackle it 33 times. The season got underway a month ago in Hong Kong, with Sebastian Buemi winning from Lucas di Grassi and Nick Heidfeld. On paper that looked like a case of “the usual suspects,” given that the first two were the main players last season and the third-placed man is one of the veterans of the series. However, in reality, it was clear from the opening race that the field is much more closely matched this time. Qualifying saw the 2014/15 champion, Nelson Piquet Jr., back in the limelight, taking pole position with his NEXTEV NIO team-mate Oliver Turvey alongside him. Behind them, Formula E rookie Jose Maria Lopez was third on the starting grid, while two other new names made it into the points on their debut: Maro Engel was ninth, while Felix Rosenqvist took the point for fastest race lap. It is therefore very difficult make predictions going into the Marrakesh race. As always, one of the key factors will be the ability to adapt to the track as quickly as possible. Lopez, one of the five drivers new to Formula E, could have something of an advantage over the others, as he has taken part in three FIA WTCC events at the Marrakesh circuit. The Argentinian has an exceptional record at this track, with three wins, two second places and one third. Ma Qing Hua has also raced here before in the 2015 WTCC event, at the wheel of a Citroen, finishing second and tenth.

Morocco has a long motor sport tradition, with the first races dating back to the Twenties. The first Grand Prix, for Touring Cars, was held in 1924 at the Anfa circuit and the following year it went by the name of the Casablanca Grand Prix. 1934 saw the first running of the Rally of Morocco, with many of the best rally drivers and co-drivers of all time taking part. However, it was after the Second World War that motor sport was at its strongest here. In 1950, the Agadir Grand Prix was first run for Sports cars and, in 1957, the Ain-Diab circuit was built to the west of Casablanca, hosting the Moroccan Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Casablanca 12 Hours.

In 1958, the Moroccan Formula 1 race was the final round of the season, with Stirling Moss winning in the Vanwall.

Mike Hawthorn brought his Ferrari home second, which was enough to clinch the championship title in front of a crowd of a hundred thousand.

Unfortunately, the event was marred by a fatality, with the death of Stuart Lewis-Evans. That brought motor sport in the country to an immediate halt, especially circuit racing. Rallying continued at the highest level, with the country featuring several times on the route of the Paris-Dakar in the 80s. Then, in 2009, circuit racing made its return with a round of the FIA WTCC.

Circuit: Moulay El Hassan

Length: 2.971 km

Start/finish line offset: 101 m

Number of laps: 33

Schedule

Championship standings

Entry list