DiCaprio Co-Founds Formula E Electric Race Car Team

Film actor Leonardo DiCaprio has partnered with Monaco-based electric carmaker Venturi Automobiles to field a two-driver racing team for the FIA's new Formula E Racing series.

The competition, which features Formula One-style electric cars, kicks off a 10-city inaugural 2014-2015 racing season next September in Beijing.

DiCaprio, an environmental activist, considers EVs a key in ensuring the planet's future. The new team, Venturi Grand Prix, is the series' 10th and final competitor. Among other Formula E teams are Andretti Autosport, Audi Sport, Drayson Racing, Mahindra Racing, Super Augri and Virgin Racing.

Each race will be conducted in three stages. Drivers must make two mandatory pit stops to change cars during the one-hour contests.

First-year competitors will campaign identical Spark-Renault SRT 01E single-seaters that can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about three seconds, reach a top speed of at least 140 mph and run about 25 minutes per charge. The FIA is expected to allow teams to build their own cars for future seasons.

All Formula E races will be conducted on city streets. Next year's series opener in Beijing will be followed by contests in Putrajaya (Malaysia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Punta Del Este (Uruguay); Buenos Aires (Argentina); Los Angeles; Miami, Monte Carlo, Berlin and London.