World’s Premier Electric Street Racing Series opens Season 4 with Hong Kong double-header

Formula E, the world’s premier electric street racing series, will roar back into Hong Kong with two full days of world-class racing on Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 3 December, 2017.

The second Hong Kong ePrix will once again kick-start Formula E’s fourth season after the global schedule was announced last night by Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) at the conclusion of its World Motor Sport Council meeting in Geneva.

The Hong Kong ePrix 2016 saw the return of premier motorsports action to the city for the first time in over 30 years, achieving what many thought would be impossible in hosting an international open-wheel, single-seat racing event in the very heart of Hong Kong.

The public responded in kind with over 20,000 people attending last year’s inaugural Hong Kong ePrix. In recognition of the strong support for motorsport in Hong Kong, FIA and Formula E have granted the Hong Kong ePrix double-header status, becoming the first Formula E event in Asia to host a dual race competition.

“We are excited to bring the Hong Kong ePrix back to the streets of Central in 2017,” said Mr Alan Fang, Chief Executive Officer of FERHK.

“Once again Hong Kong has been granted pride of place as the opening event on the global Formula E circuit and the first ever Asian ePrix to host a double-header. We look forward to kicking off a fantastic fourth season with all of the energy and entertainment for which both Formula E and Hong Kong are renowned.”

“We are introducing new elements to this year’s ePrix to delight even more racing enthusiasts and entertainment seekers as we encourage all of Hong Kong to embrace the event’s message of ‘Create Your Future’,” added Mr Fang.

The images of twenty of the world’s premier Formula drivers battling it out on the streets of Central in front of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline were broadcast to over 18.1 million audience worldwide last year.

Mr Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, said:  “We welcome the FIA’s announcement of Hong Kong as the first stop of the 2017/18 Formula E Championship. The Government will continue to fully support the organizer to host this top-notch car racing event again in Hong Kong. This event was successfully held for the first time in Hong Kong last year, showcasing that Hong Kong is Asia’s world city and the events capital of Asia. We are confident about the continual successful staging of this world famous mega event again in Hong Kong. Travellers and tourists from around the world will enjoy Hong Kong as a colourful and premier destination.”

Early signs indicate that racing fans and event goers from around the region are in for another electrifying experience in 2017.

For racing enthusiasts, the double-header means even more world-class motorsport action in 2017. The hosting of two separate and distinct races on both Saturday and Sunday offers an expanded schedule of racing action on what is one of the tightest and most technically challenging tracks on the global circuit.

Each day of the 2017 Hong Kong ePrix will feature a full series of Formula E Qualifying and Super Pole competition, leading up to a daily finale, the FIA Formula E Hong Kong ePrix race.

All of this world-class motorsports action will again be complemented by an array of automotive technological innovations like the Roborace and showcases of the latest automotive and electric vehicle technologies, as well as a non-stop offering of immersive entertainment from music, food and beverage and family-friendly activities in the eVillage.  It is also hoped that there will be increased public participation in the event this year.

As the current season comes to another thrilling conclusion with races still to come in New York and Montreal in July, reigning champion Sebastien Buemi, the winner of an action-packed inaugural Hong Kong ePrix, and his Renault e.Dams team remain on top of the driver’s championship table.

Rival Lucas de Grassi, whom Buemi, edged out last October in Hong Kong, is in second on the overall series standings, followed by veteran street racer but Formula E rookie Felix Rosenqvist in third place.

Last October, Buemi delighted the knowledgeable crowds in Hong Kong when he took the lead midway through the race before fending off Di Grassi, who moved up through the ranks after starting the race in second to last place on the grid, and former Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld, over the final 20 laps.

More information on the FIA Formula E Hong Kong ePrix will be announced at the event launch press conference in August.

The 2017/18 FIA Formula E Championship calendar features a more compact schedule, including three double-headers and three new venues – Santiago, Sao Paulo and Rome.

The fourth edition of the world’s first fully electric single-seater racing series comprises the most races to appear on the calendar since its inception in 2014.

The Formula E cars will take to the track in the season-opener in Hong Kong for a second year running on 2-3 December – the first double-header to take place in Asia.

2017/18 FIA Formula E Championship – Calendar

* Subject to confirmation
** Venue to be announced
*** Date to be confirmed