Lugano sets date for return of international racing to Switzerland

The southern Swiss/Italian-speaking city will host, subject to ratification of changes to Formula E's season-two schedule by the FIA, the first international single-seater race in the country since the 1954 Swiss Grand Prix at the Bremgarten circuit.

The Swiss ePrix round will take place between the Paris, France (April 23) and Berlin, Germany (May 21).

Former Grand Prix winner Jarno Trulli, who is an entrant in the all-electric single-seater series and a resident of the city, is part of the organization team behind the event, along with Lugano’s Mayor Marco Borradori.

Borradori is the political leader of the Ticino League, which rules over the canton of Ticino in which Lugano resides.

It has claimed a three-year contract to host the race, with an option for a further three years, and says the legal and financial pillars are in place to raise the EUR10million required to create the event.

A non-profit company called ePrix Swiss Lugano has been created, and a gala dinner was held last month for potential investors and partners to join the project.

Lugano has historic links to racing as former F1 driver Loris Kessel was born there, and pre-war racing legend Rudolf Carraciola lived there for many years.

This video shows the layout of the track around the historic Parco Civio area of the city.