Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty will form a dramatic backdrop to the inaugural New York City ePrix, which the FIA Formula E Championship today confirmed will take place in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

The 1.947km (1.21mile) track was revealed in front of a gathering of assorted media, city and state authorities, local dignitaries, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alicia Glen, ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver Lucas di Grassi, and FIA President Jean Todt at a press conference on the shores of New York Harbour at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

The New York City ePrix double-header in mid-July will be the first FIA-sanctioned open-wheel race to take place within the five boroughs of New York City in modern history.

“To race in New York City is a historic moment – not only for Formula E, but for motorsport in general – and again highlights the philosophy of Formula E to bring fully-electric racing to the world’s greatest cities,” said Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said.

“When we originally started the project we could only dream of bringing Formula E to a place like New York, with arguably the most recognizable skyline of any city in the world. I’d like to thank everyone involved in helping bring Formula E to New York for many years to come.”

The 2016/17 FIA Formula E championship is scheduled to kick off in Hong Kong in two weeks – it’s first visit to the former British colony.

“Just being able to bring a motor race to the heart of a great city like New York is already an amazing achievement in itself,” Jean Todt, President of the FIA, said.

“I am really pleased that this city is going to feature on the calendar of an FIA championship, especially Formula E, which provides the best possible combination of the two pillars that form the basis of the Federation, namely sport and mobility.

“Formula E brings motorsport to the heart of the most important and fascinating cities in the world – New York joins a list that includes, among others, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Paris, Marrakesh and Montreal, proving just how vibrant and attractive this series has become, even though it is about to embark on what is only its third season.”

Last year’s championship was won by Renault e.DAMS driver Sebastien Buemi who triumphed in a huge battle with di Grassi.

“New York is one of the world’s great cities. I think it will be an amazing event, particularly with that backdrop!” Buemi said.

“I can’t wait to race there – I expect it’s going to be one of the most spectacular tracks we have been to so far. Formula E is always pushing the boundaries with where we go and, along with Hong Kong, Paris and Berlin, we can genuinely say we have the most exciting calendar ever seen in motorsport.”

New York, New York! A bit of Frank Sinatra getting us in the mood for the #NYCePrix next July https://t.co/e4iJ3d5aJk #FormulaE

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) September 21, 2016

Who’s ready for racing in the Big ??! #NYCePrix #NewYork #Brooklyn https://t.co/NZQuJFWHUM

— MS Amlin Andretti FE (@MSAmlinAndretti) September 21, 2016

START YOUR ENGINES! Erm… CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES! Brooklyn to host first ever all-electric #FormulaE race in NYC, July 2017. #NYCePRIX pic.twitter.com/yRaZrp4K2R

— NYC Mayor’s Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) September 21, 2016