Montreal set to host next season's Formula E opener

The third season of the all-electric Formula E championship is set to start in Montreal in September 2016.

Talks have been ongoing between championship organizers, the FIA and the Canadian city since last year, with Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre having visited the Miami round two months ago. Although the deal is not yet complete, the intention is for this race to occupy the high-profile season opener slot for the championship, which is currently in its first season.

"We are in good discussion with them," Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag told AUTOSPORT. "The idea is that, if we can find a track and make everything feasible, to race there for the opening race of the third season, in September."

The intention is for the race to take place on a new street track in the city centre, rather than the grand prix track on the nearby Notre Dame Island. There had been some talk of the permanent circuit hosting a race in the current season, but the plan is currently not to use the facility.

"The mayor wants to do it inside the city on a street circuit," said Agag. "We don't want too many circuits which are not really inside the city. Even though Montreal is kind of on the edge, a street circuit would be better."

Agag is hopeful that the calendar for the second Formula E season will be finalized in the coming weeks. One race that is looking increasingly likely to happen is in Mexico City at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, right, which will host the Mexican GP this year. As this is in an urban area, it fits Formula E's strategy of city races.

There are also hopes of a race in Paris taking place, which is dependent on getting the city's approval.

"It will not be very different – I think we may have one or two new races and maybe drop one," he added. "We just need to make the final tweaks now, with the two possibilities I've mentioned [Mexico and Paris], but otherwise it will be fairly equal."