India's First Street Circuit in Hyderabad Prepares for Formula E

The first official street track in India is located in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad E-Prix, slated for February 11, 2023, will be the first Formula E race ever to take place in India at this location the following year.

We've compiled all the essential information you need to be aware of while we wait for the track to open its doors for racing action.

• Location of Hyderabad Street Circuit

The Hyderabad Street Circuit travels through the NTR Gardens' streets as it runs alongside the HussainSagarlake. Earlier this year, former Mahindra Racing Team Principal Dilbagh Gill told Autocar India that it would be the perfect place to host India's maiden Formula E race. Although it is a city race, he had said, "We are not interfering with public life because there are no civilian residences in the track area.

Driven International, who previously worked on upgrades to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, created the track. The company is also working on the Marque One Motor Club in Andhra Pradesh and the Nanoli Speedway in Pune.

• It differs from the previous design

An early version of the circuit layout was published by Driven International last year, but significant alterations have since been made. The track has expanded, now reaching 2.83 kilometres. Earlier the layout was 2.37 kilometres in length. To increase the chances of overtaking, more corners have been introduced. The earlier pattern featured 12 bends, while the redesigned one had 17.

• Key overtaking spots of the street circuit

Cars will position themselves for a slipstream on the fast run to Turn two as they enter the flat-out right-hander Turn 1. Because of the severe braking zone and the potential for a lunge into the hairpin, this will probably present the best opportunity for overtaking on the lap.

Drivers may use the road leading up to Turn 5 as another opportunity to pass, particularly if a competitor has previously made a poor exit from the hairpin. After then, other corners follow one another quickly. 

Drivers can attempt one last overtaking before the last round at the chicane between Turns 15 and 16. One of the trickiest bends on the lap, Turn 17, is the last one and must be executed well if you want to carry as much speed as you can into the following lap.

• Racing begins this weekend

The Hyderabad Street Circuit will host the opening round of the 2022 Indian Racing League on November 19 and 20, kicking off this weekend's racing action there.

Six teams from the city will compete in the league for the top prizes. There is a mix of national and international drivers on each team, and each team includes one female driver on its roster. Neel Jani, the 2016 winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, Oliver James Webb, the 2014 winner of the European Le Mans Series, and several well-known drivers from India, like Vishnu Prasad, Anindith Reddy, and AkhilRabindra, have all signed on.

Since it is a spec series, all teams will use the same equipment to participate. The preferred vehicle is the single-seater GB08 Thunder from Italian automaker Wolf, which is propelled by an Aprilia RSV4 engine. 

Hyderabad will host the 2022 championship on December 10 and 11. Online ticket purchases are available for the Indian Racing League.

Final Thoughts

In order to better accommodate the new Gen3 electric race vehicles, the layout will actually be modified for the Hyderabad E-Prix, according to Akhilesh Reddy, Director MEIL and Chairman, Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd.

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