Battersea Formula E track a "mini-Macau"

The proposed Battersea Park Formula E circuit in London has the makings of a "mini-Macau," according to championship leader Lucas di Grassi.

The Brazilian, who won the opening round of the series in Beijing last month with the Audi-supported Abt team, believes that the London track is a potential classic after undertaking a secret test on the planned layout aboard a Spark-Renault SRT_01E Formula E electric racer in mid-August.

"It's really old school, very quick and with not much margin for error, a bit like a mini-Macau," said di Grassi, who won the 2005 Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix. "My only concern is that it is a bit narrow, but the test proved that it is possible for a car to go around there."

The Formula E track, which will measure just under two miles, uses the perimeter roads of the park in Wandsworth Borough, with a chicane built in the boules area to the west of the park. The pits will be housed on the so-called Genius Site, which is the location of a former fairground and today an area used for exhibitions.

Plans for the Battersea race, set for June 27 next year, took a step towards reality last week when the relevant scrutiny committee of Wandsworth Borough Council voted in favor of the event in principle, despite opposition from the Friends of Battersea Park citizens' group.

Group chairwoman Frances Radcliffe said in a letter to the council: "It is impossible to see a day of practice motor races, qualifying races and the race itself, using all four carriageways, with a 12-day setup and a six-day take-down, as remotely compatible with preserving the tranquillity of the park."

The Friends of Battersea Park is demanding that disruption to park useage by the public caused by the event be kept to a minimum and that any damage to the fabric of the park be put right by Formula E.

The final decision is set for the end of October or the beginning of November, at which stage a formal application for planning permission could be made.