The electric racing series confirmed that a race in the Big Apple is "on top" of its wish list. Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag told SBD Global at the inaugural Mexico City ePrix on Saturday that he is flying to N.Y. on Sunday to "explore possibilities" for a second U.S. race. "I don’t want to do a race for the sake of doing it," he said. "I want a race that gives us real momentum there. I really want to go to a top place. [N.Y.] is my top of the top." After having two U.S. races during its first season, Formula E currently features only one race on U.S. soil -- the Long Beach ePrix, which is scheduled for April 2. Miami was replaced by Mexico City in season 2 after the series failed to attract local sponsorship support in South Florida. With Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing, Formula E has two U.S. teams. Jay Penske, the son of Roger Penske and owner & president of the Dragon Racing team, said he is putting a lot of pressure on the series to increase its presence in North America. "We are very focused on getting another U.S. race," he said in Mexico City. "I’m very optimistic about a race in New York City that we are seeing even for season 3. That would be an incredible momentum." Penske also mentioned other cities such as Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco or Dallas where he would like to see a race in the future. Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has long dreamed of a race in front of the N.Y.C. skyline, but funding issues have hampered plans for a race across the Hudson River in New Jersey. Though race promoter Leo Hindery has not yet given up on the project, there have been few developments since it was first included on the F1 calendar in ’13. Penske said that Formula E is not looking at a race in New Jersey and is working with a different promoter, which he did not identify. "[The race] would be in New York proper and it could be one of the world’s greatest races," Penske said. "Discussions have gone quite well and we are getting good support from the city." The series is currently in the process of finalizing its schedule for season 3, with a preliminary calendar expected within the next 30 days. Formula E has already announced that Hong Kong will join the series next season.
