Sebastien Buemi has admitted that continued clashes between Formula E and the FIA World Endurance Championship could hinder his chances of remaining in the all-electric series in future.
Calendar clashes between Formula E and the world’s premier sports car racing series have been commonplace ever since the third season of Formula E, when the fourth round of the season in Mexico City round clashed with WEC’s prologue test, then the double-header in New York clashed with WEC’s race at the Nurburgring.
The clashes have affected many over the years, including current drivers in both series Buemi, Jean-Eric Vergne, Nyck de Vries, Norman Nato, and Stoffel Vandoorne, Buemi said following the recent Monaco E-Prix that if it continues, he may need to start choosing one over the other.
“I’m competing in a different championship as well, and at some point that will be down to the FIA and Formula E, what they want to do,” he said. “If they want to clash with other championships, then at some point you have to make a decision. And I think everyone’s selfish enough to make the right decision for themselves.”
While the clash has been seen as unavoidable by series organizers, Buemi feels that it could be avoided.
“I still strongly believe that when you have 11 weekends, and you have set your championship by more than four or five months, you should, still manage to not have clashes, but who knows,” he said. “I guess in a few months time we know whether it’s realistic to continue to do both championship or if it’s not.”