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Formula E 'the future' of motorsport - Heidfeld

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Former F1 driver Nick Heidfeld says he offered his services to Formula E because he thinks it has the tools to eventually overtake F1 as the premier motorsport series in the world.

Formula E's inaugural season begins at Beijing's Olympic Stadium in September 2014, with the electronically-powered series including teams formed by the likes of Richard Branson and actor Leonardo Di Caprio. The revolutionary series hopes to make an impact on the future of the electric motor vehicle and Heidfeld believes growing environmental awareness across the world makes Formula E an exciting series to be part of.

"I cannot look into the future but of course with the technology behind it, if you tried to look into the future, Formula E looks like the place to be and the place to go," Heidfeld told ESPNF1 at the Formula E launch in London. "Everybody you speak to, even sponsors, seem to be very interested in that because it's a lot more environmentally friendly. This is also why I like it, because it can turn into something big.

"When I started karting and motor racing when I was young, the environmental effect of racing as a child was not on my mind and I think for the general public it was the same as well. Now that has changed. Obviously I like both! I want to be friendly to the environment and race and here I can combine the two and I think that is the future."

But Alain Prost, who has also created his own team in the series, is more wary of predicting how big Formula E can become.

"For sure the fans are very motivated and interested by Formula One," Prost told ESPNF1 at the same event. "I don't know if they are going to be curious about what is happening, but I don't know if they are going to go to Formula E [from F1], I am not convinced at all.

"Formula One is Formula One, this is Formula E, so we are going to develop it. Is it going to be quick, or fast, in terms of success? We don't know."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.