Battersea Park Street Circuit was a
motor racing circuit located in
Battersea Park
Battersea Park is a 200-acre (83-hectare) green space at Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth in London. It is situated on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Chelsea and was opened in 1858.
The park occupies marshland recla ...
, London, England from 2015 to 2016. It hosted the final two races of the
2014–15 Formula E season, and also the
second season. The track was in length and featured 17 turns.
There was controversy over circuit's installation in a Grade II* listed park, and it was announced in 2016 that the Formula E race would not be held there again.
History
The track was designed by Formula E's London event team and British architect Simon Gibbons.
Wandsworth Council
Wandsworth London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Wandsworth in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in the United Kingdom capital of London. Wandsworth is divided into 20 wards, e ...
approved of the circuit and the double race on 19 February 2015.
The circuit was criticized for being too narrow and too bumpy, with
Jérôme d'Ambrosio
Jérôme D’Ambrosio (born 27 December 1985) is a Belgian former professional racing driver, motorsport executive and former Team Principal of Venturi Racing in Formula E.
He has previously driven for Marussia Virgin Racing and Lotus F1 in t ...
suffering broken suspension. A last-minute change to turn 1 had to be implemented and the race had to be started under a pace car.
There was controversy over the park circuit taking place in a Grade II* listed park, with opposition to the disruption the races and subsequent build period would cause to a free public space. Around the race weekends a majority of the park was closed to the public for four days with a three-week disruption period. The local community set up a group to oppose any further races in the park.
In June 2016 Formula E announced that, on the basis of understanding between Formula E and the Battersea Park Action Group, Formula E would not return.
References
{{Authority control
Buildings and structures in Battersea
Sports venues in London
Motorsport venues in England
Defunct motorsport venues in England
Formula E circuits
London ePrix