--- title: "Switzerland Just Lifted the Racing Ban It Passed After the 1955 Le Mans Disaster" date: "2026-05-07" modified: "2026-05-07" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/switzerland-just-lifted-the-racing-ban-it-passed-after-the-1955-le-mans-disaster" categories: - "News" - "Racing" --- # Switzerland Just Lifted the Racing Ban It Passed After the 1955 Le Mans Disaster ![Sebastien Buemi races at Formula-E's Zurich E-Prix in 2018.]() *Switzerland hosted its first closed-circuit race since 1955, a Formula E event, in Zurich in 2018. \Dominic Romney/FIA Formula E via Getty Images\* Over the past several years, Switzerland has carved out exceptions to its national motorsport ban, a law that has remained in place since the 1955 Le Mans disaster that killed more than 80 people. The country allowed Formula E to host races there in 2018 and 2019, based on an exemption for electric vehicles. And, four years ago, [we reported]() on a slate of laws overturned or eased by the government that seemed to set the stage for the country to allow circuit races wholesale. Now, 71 years after the ban was first passed, it's been done: Switzerland can go racing again. On Wednesday, Switzerland's Federal Council declared that the racing ban would end effective July 1. As *[RacingNews365]()* notes, non-circuit forms of motorsport, like rallies and hill climbs, were actually permissible under the law. But this sets the stage for bigger events, like Formula 1. Makes sense, since F1 has positively exploded since the country allowed Formula E to trial its races, even in Europe where it was obviously already prominent. Going forward, the country's 26 cantons (member states) will have individual authority over whether they will allow closed-track racing within their borders or not. Given that, the hope of a Swiss Grand Prix is pretty presumptuous; racetracks, especially FIA Grade 1 facilities, take quite a while to build, anyway. In the seven decades since the ban was thrown down, Switzerland has produced some famous drivers, including F1 legend Clay Regazzoni and Sébastien Buemi, who also raced in the sport but is now known better for having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times with Toyota. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()