The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) have confirmed that in less than one year from now the streets around False Creek will be transformed into a Formula E racetrack.
Vancouver playing host to the 2022 Formula E World Championship was already approved by Vancouver City council in April but was dependant on the FIA’s confirmation which came during a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on July 8 in Monaco. The confirmation makes Vancouver officially the first stop the race will make in North America after visiting eight countries around the world. Drivers will go on to race in New York and then on to Seoul, South Korea.
The championship would include a two-day conference focused on climate and sustainability, two music concerts, and the one-day electric vehicle race. The motion approved by city council regarding the race states the event would generate significant economic benefit to the city and support the recovery of Vancouver’s tourism sector gutted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The OSS Group, a private Canadian promoter of the Formula E World Championship which brought the motion forward, has confirmed there is no required investment by the City to put on the event. OSS also promised to “engage in robust dialogue with False Creek area residents throughout the race planning process,” to address impacts on the neighbourhood like road closures for 48-hours during the event as well as the blocking of some parking entrances on Quebec street.
A map of the race route shows drivers will go through the Concord Lands, along Pacific Boulevard between Griffiths Way and Quebec Street, and along Quebec Street between Pacific Boulevard and Central Street. Grandstands along the route are expected to seat 56,000 people.
It's also estimated the event would bring in $80 million worth of economic impact and 3,000 jobs.
The city hasn't hosted a major race since the Molson Indy Vancouver stopped in 2004.
