The London ExCel Convention Centre, which is set to host the final round of the 2019/20 Formula E season, has been transformed into a temporary hospital amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Situated on the London Docklands, the convention centre would be able to accommodate 4,000 patients.
In a daily government press conference, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said: “We will, next week, open a new hospital, a temporary hospital, the NHS Nightingale Hospital at the Excel Centre in London.
“With the help of the military and with NHS clinicians, we will make sure that we have the capacity that we need so that everyone can get the support that they need.”
As of yesterday, there are over 8,000 confirmed cases of covid-19 in the UK, while 422 patients have died due to the virus.
“Formula E supports ExCeL London in their conversations with the government, NHS England and the Ministry of Defence in regard to the national response against the COVID-19 pandemic,” a Formula E spokesperson told motorsport.com.
“As we are already aware, ExCeL London has first-class facilities and Formula E commends them for offering their assistance in a time of need.”
Earlier this month, Formula E suspended their season for two months in response to the pandemic.
The championship has also introduced a unique flag system that assesses the likelihood of the remaining venues hosting races. So far, all of March and April are classified as being ‘red-flagged’ which means no racing will go ahead at all.
However, races from June onwards are currently marked as being ‘green-flagged,’ meaning races in Berlin, New York and London remain expected to go ahead. Image: Formula E
