Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio has been announced as a co-founder of Venturi Grand Prix, the proposed 10th and final team for the new Formula E motor racing championship.
Actor and environmental activist DiCaprio has formed a joint venture with Venturi Automobiles to enter a team in Formula E - the world’s first fully-electric race series. The Monaco-based team will be supported by Venturi Automobiles, which has developed a range of electric vehicles and is the current holder of the world land speed record for an electric vehicle at 495kph (307mph). The team also plans to become a constructor from the second season, building its own Formula E car using a powertrain based on the one used in its 3,000hp electric streamliner - Venturi VBB-3 - unveiled earlier this year in Wendover, Utah, by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Formula E said that Venturi GP would now be put forward to the FIA, motor sport’s global governing body, for approval as the 10th and final team to enter the new zero-emission series. They join international names from around the globe with IndyCar outfits Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing, Asia’s China Racing, Super Aguri and Mahindra Racing, and European squads Drayson Racing, e.dams, Audi Sport ABT and Virgin Racing. “The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles,” DiCaprio said. “Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort.”
Today’s announcement comes after Formula E last week finalised its calendar for its debut season, with Rio de Janeiro stepping in to replace Hong Kong on the 2014-15 schedule. The calendar will take in 10 city-centre races across four continents from September 2014 to June 2015. Beijing will remain as the host venue for the world’s first ever fully-electric race commencing on September 13. After the opening round, Formula E will remain in Asia for the second event in Putrajaya, the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. Round three will see the championship head to Rio in place of Hong Kong, before continuing in South America in Punta del Este, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The championship then travels to North America for rounds six and seven in Los Angeles and Miami respectively. Europe will conclude the season in Monte Carlo, Monaco and Berlin, Germany. London will host the final race of the inaugural season on June 27, 2015.
“It’s an honour and a pleasure to welcome the Venturi Grand Prix team as the 10th and final team of the FIA Formula E Championship,” Alejandro Agag, chief executive of series promoter Formula E Holdings, said. “(Venturi founder) Gildo (Pallanca Pastor) is a true pioneer in electric racing. From the desert of Salt Lake to Antarctica, his passion and vision pushes forward the technology barriers of what can be done with an electric car. But Gildo is not alone in this venture. Global entrepreneurs Francesco Costa and Bert Hedaya bring great experience and energy to the team. And of course, I want to give a very special welcome to our Championship to Leonardo DiCaprio. Very few environmental leaders have helped more than him to spread the message of sustainability around the world. Having people like him and Richard Branson - global ambassadors for the environment - is a privilege for our Championship and will greatly help us to spread the use of electric cars in cities around the planet.”
