Sun, Souks and Sand as ABB Formula E Heads to Marrakesh
The ABB FIA Formula E Championship heads this weekend to magical Marrakesh for the fifth round of Season 6. After an action-packed race in Mexico, which saw Mitch Evans from Panasonic Jaguar Racing win in dominant style to take the lead in the drivers’ championship, the all-electric single-seater series now heads to North Africa to thrill fans in Marrakesh for the fourth time.
Twenty-four drivers will compete for first place on the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan – a 12-turn, 2.99-kilometer track in the city’s Agdal district, in the shadow of the red city walls. Named after the Crown Prince of Morocco, the circuit is comprised partly of permanent racetrack and partly of roads around the hotel district. This combination guarantees a varied challenge for teams and drivers.
ABB has been present in Morocco since 1980 and has become an essential supplier of electrification, robotics, motion control, industrial automation and electrical networks. ABB works closely with Morocco in support of its sustainability strategies, which are designed to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent by 2030 and increase the share of renewable energies. In 2009, 1.7 percent of its electricity came from renewable sources. By 2015, this had risen to 34 percent and is projected to be 52 percent by 2030.
Pierre Leretz, Country Managing Director for ABB Morocco, said: “Morocco’s ambitious climate protection goals fit perfectly with that of ABB, title partner of the flagship Formula E race series that is creating tremendous awareness for e-mobility. It was just over two years ago that ABB and Formula E began their journey together in Marrakesh – the first race for ABB as title partner.”
E-mobility is a key area for ABB and in Morocco the company supplies e-chargers for car manufacturers Tesla and Jaguar. ABB is also the official charging partner of the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY, which supports the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
