The first all-electric global city-center motor-racing championship is set to begin its eighth race of Season 5 in the picturesque French capital, Paris. The championship is returning to the city for the fourth consecutive season and recently announced an agreement for Paris to host a round of the ABB Formula E Championship for a further three years (2020-2022).

The city holds special significance for ABB Formula E because it was here that the idea of the cham-pionship was first formed. Paris, home to world-famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, attracts millions of tourists every year from around the world.

The Paris circuit, which is located in the very heart of the city, challenges competitors with 14 turns over the course of 1.93 km, including a chicane at Turns 4 and 5. This season’s more powerful and faster Gen2 cars, which are taking e-mobility technology to a new level of sophistication, will race past the tomb of French statesman and military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, and historic Les In-valides – a large complex of 17th century architecture and courtyards. The race in Paris extends ABB’s support towards France’s e-mobility push.
French driver Jean-Éric Vergne, of the Techeetah team, took victory in Paris last season, becoming only the second racer to win in his home country after British driver Sam Bird won the London E-Prix during Season 1. In addition to the Paris win, Vergne also clinched the Season 4 championship title.

Vergne, who took victory in the all-new venue of Sanya, China, is one of seven different winners from the first seven races of season 5. 
With 22 drivers and 11 teams battling for the drivers’ and teams’ titles, this year’s first seven races, over five continents, have produced thrilling competition and highlighted the powerful performanc-es of the Gen2 cars.

The Paris race is the second in a five-stop European leg of Season 5, before the ‘double header’ grand finale takes place in the United States in July.