Mining company Antofagasta Minerals has stepped up to become a partner of Formula E, as the electric car-racing series today (Tuesday) detailed a new track location for its second race in the Chilean capital of Santiago.
Antofagasta Minerals served as Title Sponsor of the inaugural Santiago E-Prix, which was staged on February 3 as part of the 2017-18 Formula E season. It will return as Title Sponsor for season five’s race on January 26, but has now also become the official copper mining partner of Formula E.
Iván Arriagada, Antofagasta chief executive, said: “Supporting the ABB FIA Formula E Championship highlights our commitment to developing electromobility in Chile and the world. Thanks to the use of copper, electric vehicles don’t produce greenhouse gas emissions and are an effective response to climate change and pollution in our cities.
“As one of the largest copper producers, we believe in mining for a more sustainable future and therefore, we’re proud to not only sponsor the Antofagasta Minerals Santiago E-Prix, but also the global electric street racing series.”
Formula E’s debut Chilean race was met with opposition from local residents due to the use of roads through Santiago’s Forestal Park. This meant that its return for 2018-19 had been provisional while a new location was determined.
Round three of the 2018-19 season will now take place around the perimeter roads and along the esplanade of Parque O’Higgins – a public park which hosts numerous international events throughout the year.
Felipe Alessandri, Mayor of Santiago, said: “Now we’re changing the location, we learned and we listened to the neighbours – we’re talking with them to mitigate the negative externalities that means organising this event inside Parque O’Higgins. Therefore, the work is done during the day and retaining open access –swimming pools and recreational areas still in operation.
“As happened in Parque Forestal, the monies obtained by the concept of municipal rights are invested in projects that improve the quality of life for residents – stories such as the installation of new public lighting, recovery of facades, bollards and improvements to playgrounds, pet areas and the installation of an exercise zone.”