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Prince Albert goes for a spin in Monaco

Royal backing for the third Formula E (electric) season

featured in News & reviews Author Pam Williamson, Monaco Editor Updated

The environmentally friendly electric version of the immensely popular F1 sport is about to enter its third season and Monaco's eco-Prince has given his stamp of approval.

His 'stamp' however was more of a 'foot on the gas' as he took the new Venturi VM-FE-02 for a spin around the gardens of the Palais de Princier. Prince Albert II surprised guests at the Palace by donning full racing kit and helmet and taking the nippy Formula E car for a test drive.

The first Formula E race of the season will take place on 9th October in Hong Kong. Venturi are one of 10 teams taking part in the 2016/17 season which runs through until July 2017 with stops in Monaco, Paris, Montreal and New York. The Monegasque motor racing team founded by Venturi Automobiles owner Gildo Pallanca Pastor and American actor Leonardo DiCaprio to compete in the FIA championship for electric cars, Formula E.

Monaco will host the Formula E event on 13th May 2017, two weeks before the iconic Formula One Grand Prix. "This helps to get the message out there to promote Formula E, but also clean mobility, to make people aware that this is a promising solution," Prince Albert said.