POOLE’S most successful racing driver has said he would “absolutely do everything he can” to have Bournemouth host a Formula e-Grand Prix.
The Lilliput-based Formula E driver, 37, has won 12 e-Grand Prix including last weekend in São Paulo, Brazil – his team McLaren’s first win in Formula E.
Sam told the Echo a Bournemouth e-Grand Prix, which has been shelved over cost pressures, would work wonders for the town.
“Obviously, it would need council approval and a lot of roads would need to be improved in those areas around town,” he said.
“I got very excited [when the idea first came about] because I actually think we've got a great landscape for it.
“We do in some ways have great infrastructure too, because we have lots of hotels in the area being a tourist destination, it would work quite nicely,
“But obviously it does cost quite a bit to put on – that's the only downside.”
Under the 2021 proposals a circuit was drawn out: the track would start in Christchurch Road, going down past the Royal Bath Hotel and flyover, up to Durley roundabout where drivers would join the Wessex Way.
After that, the race would come off at St Pauls Roundabout, on to St Swithuns Road before rejoining the start/finish in Christchurch Road.
“Having a grand prix would be incredible, though,” Sam said. “Can you imagine the pictures going over the flyover with the wheel in the background. Unbelievable.
“If we could get 30 to 40 thousand people to come and watch it, which is like our normal kind of crowd, and showcase electric mobility, I would also hope that it could leave a lasting legacy within the town centre of electric mobility.
“So more charging points for people that already own EVs, promoting EV technology to people that haven’t really seen it before.
“There’s a lot of good that can come from it but at the same time it’s a big ask.”
Sam’s career in Formula E has only gone from strength to strength in his decade in the sport. He has 116 races under his belt, 12 wins, 27 podiums and six poles.
But driving for McLaren is “huge” for him. “To be a McLaren racing driver comes with some pressure, but it’s good pressure.
“You look at the likes of Senna, Prost, Fittipaldi, Hamilton, Häkkinen, Hunt, Lauda and Hunt, some of the greats have driven for this race team and to represent them is a big deal.
“I wanted to make sure that we started the season well. We as a team currently are not the most efficient and we know our limitations of our racing car, but we've improved gradually throughout the start of this season and a lot of hard work's gone into the project so far and I couldn't be more proud of everybody in our team.”
He added: “There are around 70 to 80 people working within the team. It’s a relatively large group of people working on two cars and we race pretty much every weekend. Our flight to Tokyo takes off on Monday.”
There are 12 more races left on this year’s e-Grand Prix calendar, including in Monaco, London and Shanghai.
Bournemouth e-Grand Prix
Start Christchurch Road. Wide enough to accommodate pit facilities and then:
- Bath Road
- Past Royal Bath Hotel
- Across the seafront fly over
- Up West Cliff Road
- Durley roundabout
- Durley Chine Road
- Join Wessex Way
- Off at the St Pauls roundabout
- St Pauls Road and St Swithuns Road
- Rejoin Christchurch Road and complete the circuit
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