After hosting a thrilling opening to the third FIA Formula E Championship season 12 months ago, Hong Kong will this weekend (2-3 December) once again provide the perfect backdrop to the curtain-raiser, this time with a double-header of action.
The streets of the global metropolis will see two all-electric races as the 20 drivers competing in the coming season battle it out to try to gain an early advantage. 15 of last year’s competitors return to the action joined by five new faces making their Formula E debuts this weekend.
Lucas di Grassi is back to defend his title in the now full manufacturer Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler team with Daniel Abt on the other side of the garage. Many are expecting a repeat of the epic battle between the Audi drivers and the returning Renault e.dams pairing of Sebastien Buemi and Nicolas Prost. After narrowly missing out on a second title last season, Buemi will be more fired up than ever to grab the initiative at this first event, and having taken the win in Hong Kong last year will surely be hoping to repeat his performance.
Pole-sitter at the 2016 race Nelson Piquet Jr has switched teams over the off-season to join Panasonic Jaguar Racing, and the inaugural FIA Formula E Champion will be hoping to convert his pace into another title challenge in season four.
A last-minute driver change for Andretti Formula E will see former FIA Formula One and World Endurance Championship star Kamui Kobayashi behind the wheel this weekend along with four fellow talented rookies: Edoardo Mortara (Veturi Formula E Team), Neel Jani (DRAGON), Andre Lotterer (TECHEETAH) and Luca Filippi (NIO Formula E Team).
Track guide –HKT Hong Kong E-Prix
Number of turns – 10
Track length – 1.15miles
Past winners – Sebastien Buemi
Qualifying record – 1m03.099s – Nelson Piquet Jr
Lap record – 1m02.947s – Felix Rosenqvist
The 1.15mile circuit races around the streets of the Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront, with landmarks such as the International Finance Centre, Hong Kong Observation Wheel and Hong Kong City Hall providing a spectacular backdrop.
Event Timetable
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
07:00 – 07:45: PRACTICE 1
09:30 – 10:00: PRACTICE 2
11:00 – 11:06: QUALIFYING GROUP 1
11:10 – 11:16: QUALIFYING GROUP 2
11:20 – 11:26: QUALIFYING GROUP 3
11:30 – 11:36: QUALIFYING GROUP 4
11:45 – 12:00: SUPER POLE
12:45 – 13:00: E-Race, Gaming Zone
13:00 – 13:30: Autograph session, Gaming Zone
14:00 – 14:10: Driver parade
15:00: Hong Kong E-Prix (43 laps)
16:05: Podium ceremony, Podium
SUNDAY 3 DECEMBER
08:00 – 09:15: PRACTICE
11:00 – 11:06: QUALIFYING GROUP 1
11:10 – 11:16: QUALIFYING GROUP 2
11:20 – 11:26: QUALIFYING GROUP 3
11:30 – 11:36: QUALIFYING GROUP 4
11:45 – 12:00: SUPER POLE
12:45 – 13:00: E-Race, Gaming Zone
13:00 – 13:30: Autograph session, Gaming Zone
14:00 – 14:10: Driver parade
15:00: Hong Kong E-Prix (45 laps)
16:05: Podium ceremony, Podium