作者：idacheung, ida

Ahead of the 2019 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix, drivers took time out to enjoy the iconic sights of the city by enjoying a ride on the Hong Kong Tram! Part of the Formula E tram experience included remixing of Formula E sounds into your own personalised music, and the ‘Ghost’ game challenge where participants can compete virtually against Formula E drivers in previous races.

 

Geox Dragon Racing – Jose Maria Lopez

 

Envision Virgin Racing – Robin Frijns

 

Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler – Daniel Abt

 

Geox Dragon Racing – (L) Jose Maria Lopez, (R) Felipe Nasr

 

Geox Dragon Racing – (L) Jose Maria Lopez, (R) Felipe Nasr

Local celebrity Jason Chan Chi-san among the first to sample the fun!

The 2019 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix takes place tomorrow but 8,000 kids from underprivileged community groups and schools were invited today to the Allianz E-Village, which features an array of activities created by Formula E, its sponsors and partners.

 

Local celebrity Jason Chan Chi-san also joined in the fun, and enjoyed a group photo with talented young musicians of Music Children Foundation, who performed live for visitors.

The 2019 HKT Formula E Hong Kong E-Prix is set to supercharge Hong Kong once again when 22 world-class drivers from 11 teams take to the city’s iconic Harbourfront street circuit on Sunday, March 10.

 

Hong Kong fans will be the first in Asia to experience the debut of the Formula E Gen2 car, which has nearly double the range and energy storage of the previous car.  With no mid-race car swap, a new team on the grid in the HWA RACELAB, and Nissan e.dams replacing Renault, fans can expect more action on track than ever before in what has already been a thrilling Season 5 on this innovative international circuit.

 

Four drivers have claimed top spot on the podium heading into round 5 in Hong Kong with Mahindra Racing’s Jerome D’Ambrosio leading the drivers’ standings after claiming his first podium in five years of Formula E racing after a thrilling finish in round 2 in Marrakesh.

 

Portugal’s Antonio Felix Da Costa, a familiar face for local fans after twice winning the Macau Grand Prix, is in second in the standings after a hot start, winning the opening leg – and the first Formula E E-Prix in Saudi Arabia – and claiming the Julius Baer Pole Position for a total of 28 points.

 

Matters then got more challenging for da Costa, who failed finish the next two legs, with D’Ambrosio winning in Morocco and Envision Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird taking the chequered flag in Santiago, Chile, at what was the hottest ever Formula E race, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius.  The excitement continued in Mexico City with Sebastian Buemi claiming his first podium of the season after coming right down the homestretch for the win.

 

D’Ambrosio leads the Drivers Championship on 53 points, ahead of Da Costa (46) and Bird (45), with Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler driver Lucas di Grassi in fourth on 34 points while Mahindra’s Pascal Wehrlein in fifth on 30 points.

 

Mahindra Racing are top of the pops in the team championship with 83 points, ahead of nearest challengers Envision Virgin Racing (73) and BMW I Andretti Motorsport (64).  China’s DS Techeetah team is in fourth with 57 points, just one point ahead of fifth placed Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler (56).

 

This weekend’s race marks the 50^th Formula E E-Prix staged since the inception of the Championship in 2014.  Five of the participating drivers this weekend have been involved in every race including, (in order of points scored), di Grassi (645), Bird (501), Daniel Abt (309), d’Ambrosio (289) and Nelson Piquet Jr (237).

 

Nelson Piquet Jr commented on the feat and the growth of Formula E saying, “It has grown a lot. It is every year attracting better drivers, better engineers, better teams and bigger sponsors, more cities. Hopefully it stays humble. We want it to be an open sport in allowing people to access to it more.”

 

The Brazilian is one of the fan favourites in Hong Kong and while hoping to “still be here and winning more races five years from now,” he is more focussed on how he and fellow Panasonic Jaguar driver Mitch Evans would go on the starting grid, as they look to climb out of seventh place on the 11-team standings.

 

“The car is performing ok, it can always be a bit better of course. We need to score this weekend. We need to finish in the top 5; that is our aim, our goal here.”

 

 

He returns the affection for Hong Kong as well, adding that he loves “coming to this part of the world. I love shopping and eating here and it is a place that I can come to early and enjoy the city a bit,” he added.

 

Three different winners have won the three races held in Hong Kong previously, with three different pole sitters in those races as well.  Despite Audi Sport ABT Scheffler having won in nine different Formula E locations, the team has never managed to make it in Hong Kong, although Audi’s Daniel Abt took the chequered flag here last season before he was later disqualified. With that haunting memory, the team will be looking to set the record straight this time.

 

The challenging Harbourfront track remains unchanged with 10 turns and two hairpins, but race strategy has intensified thanks to the new ‘Attack Mode’, another on-track innovation that will impress speed lovers in 2019.

 

Activated via special zones on the track, drivers will be able to access 225 kW power in Attack Mode with spectators seeing which drivers are in mode through the futuristic illuminated LED Halos on the vehicles.

 

With the new Gen2 car, Attack Mode and the ever-popular Fanboost, speed lovers are in for a treat.  The fastest lap in Hong Kong in 2017 was 1.03.002s in the practice session ahead of Race 2; with the more powerful Gen2 car ready to rumble, fans should expect that lap record to tumble in 2019.

Formula E World, ‘Ghost Racing’, & dedicated Kids Zone lead immersive fan experiences

at Allianz E-Village suitable for the whole family

 

[HONG KONG, March 5, 2019] – The 2019 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix will bring local fans closer to the world of Formula E through the array of immersive and educational activities available at the much-enhanced Allianz E-Village. The dedicated fan festival will be centre-pieced by the new Formula E World, a four-zone exploration area for visitors to learn more about the electric street racing series.

 

Comprised of the Driver Zone, Strategist Zone, Fan Zone, and E-Gen Zone, Formula E World has something for everyone. A bespoke journey through the universe of the world’s closest, most intense and progressive category in motorsport, all visitors will enter full of curiosity and leave as a dedicated Formula E fan. What’s more, all ticketholders can get right up-close with the futuristic Gen2 car in Allianz E-Village, a not-to-be-missed ‘Instagrammable’ opportunity.

 

With much of Lung Wo Road Grandstand removed to make way for a bigger Allianz E-Village, many of the 2019 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix sponsors and partners will showcase their latest technological advances and innovations in sustainable urban transportation on March 10 through interactive and informative activities suitable for the whole family.

 

FIA

At the 2019 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix, Formula E fans and families will have the opportunity to visit the FIA stand and learn more about the #3500LIVES Global Road Safety Campaign. The main focus of the stand will be on the “Use a Child Safety Seat” rule, which is embodied by Actress, Producer and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh. There will be a number of family-friendly fun activities and visitors will be able to take their own #3500LIVES picture and share it on a dedicated wall. The stand will also feature a section on the Child Safety Toolkit presented by FIA Member Club – HKAA.

 

ABB

ABB is the title sponsor of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and as such is uniquely placed to talk about its role as one of the world’s pioneering technology leaders. With roots in the nineteenth century, but now as a global powerhouse in e-mobility, digital technologies, robotics and industrial automation, ABB is a natural partner for the first global all-electric motorsport series. The ABB booth, present at every E-Prix, showcases many aspects of ABB technology, from EV charging solutions, to smarter cities, to the latest developments in renewable energy – and not forgetting YuMi®, the world’s first truly collaborative robot.

 

HKT

HKT is delighting Formula E fans by making 3,000 square feet of booth space available at the Tamar Park Allianz E-Village. Visitors are able to sample the latest technologies and gadgets offered by HKT’s various lines of business AND play interactive games on a gigantic 6.5M x 3.5M LED screen that involves racing against friends and family throughout a virtual Central Harbourfront environment. Visitors can also enjoy the ultimate spectator experience by witnessing exciting electric motorsport thrills and spills on an LED screen in comfortable surroundings.

 

FWD

FWD never stops exploring. Through innovative protection and creative ideas, FWD aims to empower people to celebrate living and live life to the fullest.

 

With the track bringing you the most intense racing series in Hong Kong CBD, FWD offers you an intriguing music related VR experience to test your reflex and composure during breaks of the race. A welcome gift will also be offered if you register as FWD MAX member onsite. Let’s enjoy the power, music and the beat at the start of this Spring in Hong Kong Central Harbourfront.

 

BMW

As the long-time Official Vehicle Partner and first-time participant of Formula E, BMW i Motorsports’ booth will feature the new BMW iFE.18, the i8 Coupe Safety Car, the brand-new i3 120Ah and the i Vision Dynamics concept car, giving fans a taste of what future BMW cars will look like. Interact with BMW specialists to learn more about the technology and complete a mini quiz for a chance to win exclusive BMW merchandise!

 

Carousell

Carousell is more than thrilled to be a part of one of the world’s most spectacular car events, Formula E 2019. The motto of their Auto Team is in line with Auto Shopping Redefined. Not only dothey promote car trading, but also aim at incorporating the car cultures into our society.

 

Nothing’s better than going home with souvenirs after a whole day of joy. Visit Carousell’s booth and get the chance to win a free car charger and other souvenirs by downloading their app and getting into the car page. Also, make sure you don’t miss out on the model RC car competition and fully immerse yourself into the Formula E culture and vibe!

 

HKPolyU Racing Team

The Hong Kong PolyU Racing Team (nicknamed PolyU Racing Development) is the first team among Hong Kong universities to have participated in the Formula Student series competition. Initiated by 9 Mechanical Engineering students in 2015, HKPolyU Racing Team is now strong and thriving with over 70 students from 7 departments of various faculties. Two generations of race cars, Inheritance (HKF-01E) and Pulse (HKF-02E), will be showcased in the PRD booth with introduction by current and alumni members. In addition, a racing simulator will be set up in the booth for a true taste of Formula E. Don’t hesitate, come experience the life of racing with HKPolyU Racing team!

 

Elsewhere at the Allianz E-Village, the highly popular Gaming Arena will see an increase to 20 Formula E simulators from eight last season to allow more racing enthusiasts to test their skills on the virtual Central Harbourfront track.

 

iPads will be introduced at the Gaming Arena with the installation of an exciting, world’s first interactive racing, gaming, and viewing experience. ‘Ghost Racing’ provides a unique opportunity for users to race against real drivers in real races – live. Participants will be able to test their skills against some of the best Formula E drivers in the world.

 

Motor racing enthusiasts wishing to rub shoulders with the best in Formula E racing should gather at the Allianz E-Village podium no later than 5pm as the podium finishers will head straight over from their garages right after the race for celebrations. Earlier in the day, before the on-track action heats up, all 22 drivers including Felipe Massa, last season’s winner Sam Bird and reigning champion Jean-Eric Vergne will make an appearance at 2:25pm to sign autographs for fans and speak to budding motor racing drivers.

 

Before the stage is occupied by the winners of the 2019 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix, urban dance crew Seabiscuit will be injecting some off-track energy to the festival, engaging fans with their street style and dynamic moves. A modern Kung Fu performance that combines contemporary dance and various Asian martial arts has also been created to entertain visitors before the fiercely-driven race gets underway at 4:03pm.

 

A giant screen with live feed of the on-track action can be found through the Allianz E-Village to ensure no one misses a single beat of the 45-minute plus one lap race. For the younger members of the family, face painters and a special Formula E Obstacle Course are the key highlights of the dedicated Kids Zone.

 

The 2019 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix is an all-day event with Allianz E-Village accessible from 7am to 6pm. To stay energised, the Taste Zone is where you need to go. The Formula E gastronomic journey includes replenishments by favourites like UTRON, PizzaExpress, Zuver x Sichuan Delicacy, Mr. Cart, Snowy, XTC Gelato, Candy Corner. Beer bought at Tamar Park will be served in reusable plastic cups with collection point at the Heineken booth and additional collection bins at event recycle station to return all used cups to the Heineken warehouse for reuse after wash.

 

Sustainability is the name of the game across the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, and here in Hong Kong, one of the green initiatives at the Taste Zone is the free-for-all water pouches on offer so you can help us reduce plastic use. Simply take it everywhere with you, refill at the Allianz Hydration Stations around the venue, and drink from it all day long!

 

The 2019 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix will take place on Sunday March 10 at the Central Harbourfront street circuit. 22 drivers representing 11 teams will race around the 1.86km track with 10 turns, including two hairpins.

 

Tamar Park Grandstands are sold out while a limited number of tickets at Observation Wheel Grandstands is still available. Purchase your tickets now at Ticketflap and be a part of Hong Kong’s most electrifying event.

 

Allianz E-Village Entertainment Schedule:

Activity	Location	Time  (*All Timings subject to change)
Formula E Driver Autograph Session	Tamar Park	2:25pm
HKT Hong Kong E-Prix including Opening Ceremony	Giant Screen	3:35pm
HKT Hong Kong E-Prix Podium Ceremony	Tamar Park – Podium	5pm
SeaBiscuit Performance	Stage Zone	11:30am, 1pm & 1:40pm
Modern Kung Fu Performance	Stage Zone	11:30am, 1:05pm & 1:35pm
Face Painters	Kids Zone	9am to 6pm

*Allianz E-Village Opening Hours: 07:00 to 18:00