Formula E teams get first cars

The 10 Formula E teams received their first cars on schedule on Thursday, as the series opened its new headquarters at Donington Park, UK. The event marked the official launch of the FIA's new all-electric championship.

"In September 2013 we launched this incredible fully electric 150mph car and after more than 3000km of rigorous testing, we're delighted to be now handing them over to our 10 teams," said series chief Alejandro Agag. "To change the perception of electric cars, we need to improve the technology. The UK is the best place to do that. There is no better place for motorsport than the UK, and for us there is no better place in the UK than Donington."

Each of the teams has received one "Spark-Renault" car initially, ahead of the start of pre-season testing at Donington on July 3-4. The inaugural championship commences in Beijing in September.

Formula E's team lineup includes former F1 names Virgin and Super Aguri, IndyCar squad Andretti Autosport, and partnerships between four-time F1 champion Alain Prost and top French team DAMS, and actor Leonardo DiCaprio and sports car manufacturer Venturi.

Virgin announced earlier this week that ex-F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari and 2013 GP3 runner-up Sam Bird would be its 2014/15 drivers, as it became the second team to reveal its line-up after the Audi-affiliated Abt squad signed Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt.