Zurich is looking increasingly likely to be the venue of a proposed Formula E race in Switzerland in 2017, reports regional newspaper Tages-Anzeiger.

It seems that Zurich may be poised to pick up where promoters in Lugano failed, with a capacity of up to 100,000 spectators thought to be achievable. Proponents recognise, however, that is is an ambitious undertaking to secure the necessary funding and permissions required in time to put on an event in 2017.

Lugano has withdrawn and now supports a bid by Zurich. Because there is no longer competition to host the first Swiss ePrix, this should help with the search for national sponsors, who would need to find around 10million Francs.

Worldwide, there are about 100 cities interested. Club spokesman Stephan Oehen is confident that Zurich is on the shortlist. He points to strong interest from financially secure sponsors and official support from the Zurich regional government.

However, commitment from the city itself is questionable. After all, it is another big event, of which Zurich has many. “The city council considers downtown Zurich to be fundamentally unsuitable for a car race,” says Nat Bachtold, spokesman for Mayor Corine Mauch. The reasons? Traffic congestion, adjusting infrastructure (what would be done with troublesome kerbs?), high numbers of spectators and safety concerns.

The door is not shut. “If an official request is received, it will of course be examined fairly,” says Bachtold.

Oehen expects more than 100,000 visitors. The track will have paid-for bleachers but a free public viewing area is also planned.

tagesanzeiger.ch