Montreal Pulls Out of Formula E

Montreal is ending its three-year deal with the Formula E electric vehicle race series after a single year, citing high costs and fan apathy.

Montreal agreed to pay to hold the championship’s final two races, which are held on back-to-back nights, through the 2018-2019 season. It isn’t clear what penalty the city may be forced to pay for canceling.

This year’s race weekend cost the city C$14 million ($11 million) for preparation and security. CBS News reports that the non-profit Montreal c’est électrique, which was set up earlier this year to promote and manage the event, burned through most of its C$10 million ($7.8 million) line of credit with the city and owes Formula E several million dollars.

Nearly half the 45,000 tickets for this year’s races in Montreal were given away for free. Local business complained about street closures, detours and other disruptions. Such concerns were a key issue in Montreal’s mayoral election last month. The city’s one-term mayor, who championed the event, was defeated.

Formula E’s new season started earlier this month with back-to-back races in Hong Kong. Other host cities are Berlin, Marrakesh, Mexico City, New York, Paris, Punta del Este (Uruguay), Rome, Santiago and Zurich. The series doesn’t say where the final two races will occur.