Formula E: Swiss race gets deadline extension

The organizer of the proposed Switzerland Formula E round has had its deadline to provide the necessary funding for the event extended until the end of November. Swiss ePrix Lugano is pushing for the lakeside city to join the Formula E calendar for the 2015-'16 season, a year earlier than originally planned.

Earlier this year, Lugano Mayor Marco Borradori agreed an exclusive deal with Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag for the city to host the Swiss round of the series, subject to raising 10 million euros ($11.3m) by Sept. 30. That has now been extended to Nov. 30, the organizing body of the race claims, after a second meeting between Agag, Borradori and Trulli Formula E team owner Francesco Guarnieri, whose team is one of the planned event's main partners.

Should the organizer raise the required funding from local partners, it will cement a three-year deal with the option of an additional three. The planned May 7 date would place the Swiss race between the French and German rounds of the championship, making it the ninth of 11 events.

Motor racing was banned in Switzerland following the 1955 Le Mans disaster in which a number of spectators were killed, until a relaxation in the country's law earlier this year.

In addition to the talks between the organizers and Agag, Formula E deputy CEO and managing director Alberto Longo visited Lugano to begin a feasibility study.

Originally on Autosport.com