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Formula E to Host Celebrity Racing Event in Miami
Formula E will soon host a unique event in Miami, designed for celebrities and influencers to get a firsthand experience of the latest Gen3 Evo racing machines. Scheduled for March 5-6, the event, named ‘Evo Sessions’, will take place on a modified layout of the Miami International Autodrome, a venue that has previously hosted Formula 1 events and is adjacent to the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins NFL team.
During this exclusive event, eleven celebrities will each represent one of the eleven Formula E teams, having completed an extensive preparation regimen that includes simulator training, physical fitness exercises, driver coaching, and engineering discussions. Notable participants announced so far include Brooklyn Beckham, the son of former England and Manchester United football star David Beckham, and retired Argentinian footballer Sergio Aguero.
Joining them will be actor Lucien Laviscount from “Emily in Paris”, tech influencer Cleo Abram, custom car builder Emelia Hartford, and social media personality Vinnie Hacker. The identities of five additional celebrity drivers will be revealed shortly, along with the teams they will be driving for.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds expressed the goal of this event, noting, “Our audience is somewhat different from traditional motorsport demographics. Many are digital natives, so we aim to provide entertainment and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become a racing driver, thereby captivating a new audience that might not have previously engaged with the sport.”
Dodds further explained that while the event showcases non-professional drivers, it will simultaneously highlight the skill level and elite nature of professional racers. “The performance gap is expected to be substantial, likely around 20-30 seconds per lap when comparing a professional driver to these creators,” he noted.
Importantly, the Evo Sessions event will not be sanctioned by the FIA, which excludes any competitive aspects. Additionally, any damages incurred to the vehicles during this event will not impact the cost cap for the teams in the ongoing season.
The Gen3 Evo cars represent advancements over their predecessors, featuring faster lap times—reportedly three seconds quicker—thanks to all-wheel-drive technology that endows them with astonishing acceleration capabilities. These cars can reach 0-60 mph quicker than some modern Formula 1 cars.
Originally, this weekend in March was labeled as ‘To Be Confirmed’ on the Formula E calendar, with a race planned in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which was ultimately scrapped due to changing governmental configurations. Rather than switch venues, the organizers opted to go forward with this alternative event, which will not be open to the public.
Footage from the event will be shared on Formula E’s social media channels over the coming weeks, capitalizing on the combined follower base of the participating celebrities—over 300 million—thus expanding the reach of the Formula E brand.
Brooklyn Beckham shared his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “I’ve loved motorsport all my life, so when the chance arose to participate in Evo Sessions with Formula E, I couldn’t resist. Being able to get behind the wheel and understand what it takes to compete at a high level is incredible. The performance of these cars is amazing, and I’m thrilled to learn from top professionals.”
Source
www.motorsport.com