MIAMI – This weekend’s Miami ePrix marks the first U.S. race of the FIA Formula E Championship, and the potential was raised today that the first Canadian race could be coming soon.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre is one of several international luminaries in attendance this weekend in Miami, and is meeting with the series to explore a future ePrix in the French Canadian city.

Montreal, of course, hosts the Canadian Grand Prix every June at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Isle Notre Dame. The island circuit is restricted to two race weekends, annually, and wouldn’t necessarily be the circuit the series would use, if Montreal was to join the calendar.

Both FIA Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag and Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson spoke openly about the possibility during Saturday’s press conference ahead of the race.

“I go to Montreal for Formula 1 and sporting events,” Branson said. “I spend lots of money there, lots of fun, lots of partying. I think cities should be out there competing for all sorts of sporting events.

“This one in particular would be great for Montreal to get. It’s fun, it’s the future and Montreal should be pioneering the future. I think it’s great the mayor is taking the trouble to come here this time, and I was delighted to meet him.”

Added Agag, “I think very much the same line; we had a meeting this morning with the mayor. I’m extremely positive about the possibilities of hosting a race there.

“Of course many details need to be worked out, and budget is one of them. It’s extremely early to enter into considerations of what it will cost, who will pay for what. We’re in quite an early stage of discussion, but it’s a very positive discussion.

“We love Montreal. I’ve been many times as well for Formula 1, many friends there, fantastic city, and it’s great fun there, which is important. We’d love to race there. We have to work to do to see what we can do.”

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