One team is backed by the actor Leonardo DiCaprio, while Richard Branson has
his own team after an unsuccessful foray into Formula One.

Alejandro Agag, the sport’s CEO, said: “What started out as an idea, is
now becoming a reality. With the first cars delivered to the teams in just
over a week, and works beginning around the Olympic Park in Beijing, Formula
E is moving closer to its goal to show fans around the world the true
potential of electric cars.”

Jarno Trulli, Nick Heidfeld and other F1 old hands are among the crop of
drivers.

Until the first test in July – which clashes with the British Grand Prix – and
the opening event in Beijing, the cars themselves are something of an
unknown quantity.

However, some in F1 are privately frustrated that Formula E has been allowed
to occupy a space in the motorsport market, appealing to younger, more
environmentally-conscious fans, as Formula One’s green revolution has been
consistently shouted down.

Mercedes even renamed their car the W05 Hybrid last week to emphasise the
shift in technology.