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Formula E: Sao Paulo race delayed from 2018 to season five

By Alex Herbst

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 15: Mitch Evans in the Jaguar I-TYPE on track during the New York City ePrix, ninth round of the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Series on July 15, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York City, NY, USA. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 15: Mitch Evans in the Jaguar I-TYPE on track during the New York City ePrix, ninth round of the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Series on July 15, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York City, NY, USA. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT Images) /
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A last-minute change to the Formula E calendar for season four is in the cards. The original Sao Paulo race planned for 2018 has been postponed.

The Formula E cars are charged up and ready to go for the season-opening weekend at Hong Kong to kick off December. However, a change in the calendar may throw off some plans for the 2017-18 season. The first ePrix in Brazil has now been postponed to 2019, as issues with the race in Sao Paulo have prevented it from remaining on the 2018 calendar.

The race the Anhembi Park circuit for Formula E was originally scheduled for March 17, 2018. Series officials plan to replace the event, keeping the calendar at 14 races for season four. This would also arguably confirm at least one of the events for season five for 2018-19. However, no word yet on what race will be replacing Sao Paulo.

The all-electric championship released the following statement about the removal of Sao Paulo from the 2017-18 schedule:

"“The Sao Paulo city authorities have asked us to postpone the race to season five, due to an ongoing process of privatization of the Anhembi Park venue.“Racing in city centers always poses challenges and as this process is taking longer than expected, in agreement with the city of Sao Paulo, we’ve decided to place negotiations on standby until the privatization process is complete – with the city specifying their desire to be considered on the calendar for next year.“In the meantime, we’ve prepared an alternative solution for this season that will be formally presented to the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris next week.”"

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As the first Formula E event in Brazil, the race weekend was expected to attract many fans to see two of their native drivers race. Reigning champion Lucas di Grassi and season one victor Nelson Piquet Jr. both hail from the largest nation in South America.

A number of new events are joining the Formula E calendar this season, meaning perhaps an old event will be revived to replace Sao Paulo. Another South American race would make sense, with perhaps Buenos Aires or Punta del Este being potential replacements. Outside of the Americas, with its mid-March date, the series could return to Europe a few weeks early with a race in Moscow or London, both of which previously appeared on the calendar.

Next: Kamui Kobayashi to Race at Hong Kong with Andretti

Be sure to tune in for the season-opening weekend doubleheader for the all-electric Formula E world championship from the streets of Hong Kong. Coverage of qualifying on both Saturday and Sunday can be seen in the United States on FS2, with both race telecasts live on FS1.

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