Hong Kong ePrix
Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit
(2016–2017, 2019)
Race information
Number of times held4
First held2016
Last held2019
Circuit length1.860 km (1.156 miles)
Last race (2019)
Pole position
Podium
Fastest lap

The Hong Kong ePrix was an annual race of the single-seater, electrically powered Formula E championship, held at the Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit in Hong Kong. The track was touted as a potential venue for the all-electric series’ inaugural race. It was first raced in the 2016–17 season as the first major international motorsport event in Hong Kong.

In 2018–19 season, the 2019 Hong Kong ePrix was the 50th race of Formula E since its inception in 2014.[1] It was widely expected to be the first wet race in Formula E racing history. Drivers tested the grip levels in both shakedown and practice sessions on a fully wet track, but it did not eventuate.[2] The ePrix was scheduled to be on the 2019–20 calendar, but it was replaced due to pro-democracy protests and the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong.[3][4]

Circuit

The ten turn 1.860 km (1.156 mi) circuit, located in the Central Harbourfront area is a firm favourite on the Formula E calendar. Making use of existing roads, all racing cars and drivers drive past landmarks including the International Finance Centre, Hong Kong Observation Wheel, and Hong Kong City Hall.[5]

Significant portions of the track were covered with painted road signs, which could turn the race to extremely unexpected under serious rainy conditions according to some drivers.[6] There were different tarmac and painted road markings around the circuit, which made some parts of the track slippery and treacherous on an adverse camber section. Still, the drainage is facilitated by the presence of concrete blocks with holes.

The circuit failed to meet regulations set forth by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). FIA regulations require tracks to be 2.2 km (1.4 mi) long but the Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit was only 1.860 km (1.156 mi) long. [7] The FIA required Hong Kong to extend the circuit to 2.2 km (1.4 mi) for the 2019–20 season, in which two more teams were expected to enter the E-Prix.[7] Lawrence Yu, governor of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, cited difficulties in extending the track to the west as the Hong Kong Station on the western side of the circuit links up the city with the airport. An extension to the east of the circuit through a tunnel considered too dangerous for the cars to be running at high speeds along a straight road before they enter the tunnel.[7]

The Hong Kong ePrix was eventually dropped from the 2019–20 season on the ground of continued protests in the city.[3]

Results

EditionTrackWinnerSecondThirdPole positionFastest lapRef
2016 Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit Switzerland Sébastien Buemi
e.dams-Renault		 Brazil Lucas di Grassi
Audi-ABT Schaeffler		 Germany Nick Heidfeld
Mahindra		 Brazil Nelson Piquet Jr.
NextEV NIO		 Sweden Felix Rosenqvist
Mahindra		 [8]
2017 Race 1 United Kingdom Sam Bird
Virgin-DS		 France Jean-Éric Vergne
Techeetah-Renault		 Germany Nick Heidfeld
Mahindra		 France Jean-Éric Vergne
Techeetah-Renault		 Belgium Jérôme d'Ambrosio
Dragon-Penske		 [9]
2017 Race 2 Sweden Felix Rosenqvist
Mahindra		 Switzerland Edoardo Mortara
Venturi		 New Zealand Mitch Evans
Jaguar		 Sweden Felix Rosenqvist
Mahindra		 Brazil Lucas di Grassi
Audi		 [10]
2019 Switzerland Edoardo Mortara
Venturi		 Brazil Lucas di Grassi
Audi		 Netherlands Robin Frijns
Virgin-Audi		 Belgium Stoffel Vandoorne
HWA-Venturi		 Germany André Lotterer
Techeetah-DS		 [11]

Controversy

With over 350 skyscrapers sitting on Hong Kong's shoreline, it was claimed several drivers encountered radio communication problems due to the buildings blocking the signal, which forced them to recalculate their energy management unassisted.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Stat Attack: 10 things you didn't know about the race in Hong Kong". Formula E. 7 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "Oliver Rowland heads wet Hong Kong E-Prix FP1". Formula E. 10 March 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Hong Kong Formula E race left off 2020-21 calendar amid political turmoil and Covid-19 pandemic". Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  4. ↑ Smith, Sam (4 October 2019). "Calendar Confirmed: Marrakesh Replaces Hong Kong". e-racing365.com. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  5. ↑ "Pre-race round-up: Audi's got a "score to settle" in historic Hong Kong race". Formula E. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  6. ↑ "Teams Gear Up for Forecasted First Wet Race". e-racing 365. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 "Formula E: Hong Kong could be dropped from 2020 calendar if organisers fail to extend circuit". 7 January 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "2016 Hong Kong ePrix". Racing-Reference. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "2017 Hong Kong ePrix Race 1". Racing-Reference. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "2017 HKT Hong Kong ePrix Race 2". Racing-Reference. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Formula E 2019 Hong Kong ePrix Classification". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 13 May 2022.


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