Formula E has postponed its four day pre-season test that was set to take place in Valencia next week following devastating floods in the region.
At least 158 people have been killed in floods that have struck Valencia and the surrounding areas since Wednesday. While Circuit Ricardo Tormo, which was set to host the test, is said to be largely unaffected, the main road to the facility was damaged, leaving it difficult to access via vehicle.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Formula E said: “We have all been monitoring the tragic situation in Valencia, where flash floods have devastated the region and claimed many lives. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these terrible events and we at Formula E are looking at how we can practically support the region during this awful time.
“Following consultation with local authorities, the FIA and our colleagues at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, we have decided not to proceed with our pre-season test in Valencia, planned for 4-7 November. While it may have been possible to go ahead logistically, it is important not to create any distraction or use valuable resources that are much better served supporting the local community. We have a number of Formula E team members who have been working on the ground in Valencia over the past week, and we want to personally thank them for everything they’ve done, and continue to do, to support the area.”
The test has not yet been canceled entirely, however, and plans are in the works to move it around 220 miles northwest to Circuito del Jarama near Madrid. Should that plan come off, the test will instead run from Tuesday, November 5 until Friday, November 8, with the series’ first all-female driver test still taking place on the morning of the final day.
“We have taken the decision to secure an alternative location, and Circuito del Jarama in Madrid will host both the FIA Formula E Official Test and the Women’s Test next week, scheduled for Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 November,” Formula E’s statement continued. “The full event schedule will be confirmed in due course, as we navigate a number of logistical and operational challenges which will determine if it’s possible to move our test operations to Madrid within this timeframe.
“Our first thoughts are with the community of Valencia. The city has a special place in our hearts: it has been ever-present on our calendar since 2017 and we have recently moved our operations base there. It is like a second home for Formula E. We will support the community to recover from these tragic events in any way we can, and ensure that while our testing continues in Madrid, it is done with the utmost sensitivity.”