MikeyT Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/DiCaprio-enjoys-life-fast-lane/story-20483637-detail/story.html Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio is set to visit Leicestershire after setting up a motor-racing team in the county. The American film star co-owns one of the teams which will compete in the newly-launched Formula E Championship – the electric-powered version of Formula One. All 10 Formula E teams are to develop and test their cars at Donington Park in the run-up to the championship's first race in September. A £5.7 million investment will see the creation of a 44,000 sq ft purpose-built home for the competition, as well as 100 hi-tech jobs. Formula E teams will race in 10 major cities across the world, including London, Beijing and Los Angeles. DiCaprio and other backers, including motor giants Audi and Renault, plan to use the series to develop electric vehicle technology, making it more appealing, more reliable and cheaper. Donington Park's managing director, Christopher Tate, said the teams were due to move on to the site in May when testing will begin. He said: "I would expect all the team principals for the first run to be at the circuit and that would include Mr DiCaprio." The actor, star of Wolf of Wall Street, The Great Gatsby and Titanic, co-owns the Venturi GP team. Other teams include Virgin Racing, as well as outfits from China, India and Japan. The first race takes place on September 13 in Beijing. Mr Tate said the arrival of Formula E was a major coup for the 83-year-old circuit after a high-profile bid to secure the British F1 Grand Prix ended in failure in 2009. Formula E looked at sites across the world, including Silverstone, in Northamptonshire. "It could have gone anywhere else in the world," he said. "Formula E and all its teams committing to this location is a critical leap forward for this wonderful race track and for our region." Mr Tate said the teams would bring 50 staff with them, while another 100 would be recruited once they were based at Donington. The £5.7 million cost of the development is made up of a £3.65 million loan from the Government's Growing Places Fund and a £2.05 million investment from circuit owner Kevin Wheatcroft. The cars will be based at the track's western paddock, close to the Melbourne Hairpin. Mr Tate praised Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and Duncan Green, partner at Leicester architects Pick Everard, for their key roles in securing the competition. Planning consent for the building work has been granted by North West Leicestershire District Council. Councillor Richard Blunt, leader of the district council, said: "This is a high-profile investment for Donington Park and North West Leicestershire." Alejandro Agag, chief executive of Formula E, said: "Our new facilities at Donington Park provide the perfect central location for operating the FIA Formula E Championship." Business and energy minister Michael Fallon said: "Formula E's decision to locate the international teams and its global headquarters at Donington Park is a testimony to the key role the UK plays in the motorsport industry." Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/DiCaprio-enjoys-life-fast-lane/story-20483637-detail/story.html#ixzz2rEpSNV9l
Kitchandro Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 Cue many posts taking the piss out of Leicester.
sphericalfox Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 I'm not a mega F1 fan or anything, but surely watching electrical Formula E will be like watching it either with the sound off (telly), or your ears concreted over? I appreciate that they can make electrical sports cars pretty quick now, but I doubt it'll ever catch on, unless it's like WipeOut with weapons.
Samilktray Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 Cant think of a single thing Leicester has achieved that matches up to having Leo in our presence.
Out Foxed Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 Cant think of a single thing Leicester has achieved that matches up to having Leo in our presence. DNA
FoxesAreBlue Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 So old Leo himself hasn't actually said "I'm off to sunny Leicester" has he: Donington Park's managing director, Christopher Tate, said the teams were due to move on to the site in May when testing will begin. He said: "I would expect all the team principals for the first run to be at the circuit and that would include Mr DiCaprio." Nothing story.
foxes_rule1978 Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 Would be cool if he did come, depends on his schedule I'm sure, the team he has created, he would like to be there to see them run for the first time. So is his team actually based in Leicestershire?
Captain... Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 Nothing story, but what do you expect from the Mercury. Quite interested by the idea of Formula E, seeing as F1 is now dead to me, I will check this out.
Guest MattP Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 If he actually turns up in Leicester I promise to turn up to see him in full William Cutting attire. I've been waiting for years for an excuse to dress up like that.
FoxesAreBlue Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 If he actually turns up in Leicester I promise to turn up to see him in full William Cutting attire. I've been waiting for years for an excuse to dress up like that.
Monk Posted 23 January 2014 Posted 23 January 2014 Apparently spotted in morrisons. Nice trying to get him in before the end of the window.
Xen Posted 24 January 2014 Posted 24 January 2014 Would be cool if he did come, depends on his schedule I'm sure, the team he has created, he would like to be there to see them run for the first time. So is his team actually based in Leicestershire? Nope! It's french, and based in Monaco http://en.venturi.fr/formula-e/venturi-grand-prix-formula-e-team
Mark 'expert' Lawrenson Posted 24 January 2014 Posted 24 January 2014 We already have Stephen Graham here, maybe Leonardo will take a shine to Leicester and move in.
The Doctor Posted 24 January 2014 Posted 24 January 2014 Hmm, think he's rather over-rated, The Mona Lisa isn't that amazing, it's a decent quality portrait, but not the worlds greatest ever painting. His attempts at planes were ridiculous too, as aerodynamic as a sofa.
Webbo Posted 24 January 2014 Posted 24 January 2014 Surely if the engines are all electric they'll all be virtually the same?It'll be more like Indie car.
Merging Cultures Posted 24 January 2014 Posted 24 January 2014 Surely if the engines are all electric they'll all be virtually the same?It'll be more like Indie car. Perhaps they will be experimenting with different coil winds, brushes and materials. But definitely should be competing on batteries.
Trav Le Bleu Posted 24 January 2014 Posted 24 January 2014 I'm not a mega F1 fan or anything, but surely watching electrical Formula E will be like watching it either with the sound off (telly), or your ears concreted over? I appreciate that they can make electrical sports cars pretty quick now, but I doubt it'll ever catch on, unless it's like WipeOut with weapons. The excitement comes from refuelling stops every 3 laps.
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