The two Swiss sponsors of the FIA Formula E, Julius Baer and TAG Heuer, have organised an extraordinary event: a Formula E car drove through downtown Geneva, passing by the branch of Bank Julius Baer, the boutique of TAG Heuer and crossing the scenic Pont du Mont Blanc. The car was filmed for a video promoting the idea of a Swiss ePrix – among others showing former Formula 1 driver and current Formula E driver Nick Heidfeld as he leaves Julius Baer’s local branch. He has lived in Switzerland for years and supports this initiative.

The objective of the new FIA Formula E Championship is to encourage sustainable mobility and promote the use of advanced emission-free electric vehicles, especially in cities. Switzerland as one of the most innovative economies is an ideal host for a race. But motorsport Grand Prix have been forbidden in Switzerland for decades. Now, after a historic decision in December 2014 by the Swiss Federal Council and the National Council to support a motion by National Councillor Fathi Derder, Switzerland can hopefully soon officially welcome professional motorsport circuit racing back to the country. The final political decision on this matter by the Council of States, the second chamber of the Swiss parliament, is expected for 16 March 2015. The new rule to be passed would make an exemption from the general ban of car races and allow electric races only.

Tying in with the Formula E activities, Julius Baer has now also become sponsor of the Academic Motorsport Association of the ETH Zurich, supporting their ‘Formula Student’ project which aims to make prospective engineers familiar with the technologies of electric mobility, and thus further driving innovation.

“For Julius Baer with its strong Swiss roots it is a very special endeavour to bring a Formula E race to Switzerland and we fully support the Formula E in its efforts. This is not only an exciting new chapter for the motorsport in Switzerland, but also a sign for the country’s economy to advance the development of emission-free technologies. Our Bank decided to support Formula E from its birth as exclusive Global Partner to jointly work towards a more sustainable future,” says Boris F.J. Collardi, Chief Executive Officer of Julius Baer.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings, comments: “We are proud to have two strong Swiss partners, Bank Julius Baer and TAG Heuer, on board from the very beginning, and are grateful that they assist us in the exciting challenge to bring a Formula E race to Switzerland. We hope this will happen sometime during the 2016/2017 season.”

The FIA Formula E Championship is committed to the promotion of sustainability and aims to drive the change towards an electric future of mobility. The popular success of the season’s inaugural races in Beijing, Putrajaya, Punta del Este, Buenos Aires, and those coming soon in Miami, Los Angeles, Monaco, Berlin, Moscow and London, proves the championship’s capacity to create a strong vision of emission-free transport. With the additional initiatives of FIA Formula E, the FE School Series and the integration of the ‘Formula Student’, they aim to inspire young people to embrace sustainable mobility and engineering.