Formula E on track

Online tyre retailer Blackcircles.com is to sponsor ITV’s coverage of pioneering Formula E.

The deal sees Blackcircles.com partner with ITV as the new FIA championship for racing cars powered exclusively by electric energy

enters its first season.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Venturi GP team and Richard Branson’s Virgin Racing team are two of the 10 teams taking part, while the driver line-up includes Nick Heidfeld, Bruno Senna, Nicolas Prost and Jarno Trulli.

ITV’s coverage of the Formula E series of races begins on September 13 in Beijing, China with the final race on the streets of London on June 27. Other city locations on the calendar include Beunos Aires, Miami, Monte Carlo and Berlin.

The organisers of Formula E hope that the 10-race global series will accelerate interest in electric vehicles and play a part in promoting sustainability in the automotive sector.

Unlike Formula 1, tyres will not be changed during Formula E races although their reliability will play a significant role in the outcome of each race and all-weather tyres from Michelin will be used exclusively for the inaugural season.

ITV will be broadcasting live and highlight shows on ITV4, ITV4HD and ITV4+1, with catch up also available on ITV Player, itv.com

and ITV Player Mobile app across online and mobile devices.