Formula E: Hong Kong E-Prix organisers eye inaugural world championship season in 2020-21
- Governing body FIA has upgraded Formula E to world championship status, joining Formula One, rally, endurance racing, rallycross and karting
- Hong Kong was forced to cancel the March 2020 FE race in the city because of anti-government protests
Hong Kong has a glorious opportunity to raise its profile as a regional motor racing hub with FIA’s announcement this week that the Formula E series will be designated an official world championship from the 2020-21 season onwards.
Lawrence Yu Kam-kee, one of the founders of the Hong Kong E-Prix, said stakeholders were keen for the city to be part of the upgraded electric car circuit, but remained wary of making promises because of the social unrest that forced organisers to cancel the March 2020 race at the Central Harbourfront.
“Both the Hong Kong government and FE would like to have race here but we still have to wait and see the political situation,” said Yu, governor of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, who played an integral role in bring FE racing to the city in 2016.
Hong Kong was scheduled as the sixth leg of the 2019-20 season, having staged three races since joining the circuit in 2016. However, organisers announced in late October that the March 1 race was cancelled because of the often violent anti-government protests that have plagued the city since June.
When asked if Hong Kong would be part of the inaugural ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, a FIA representative said venues would be announced at a later date.
