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Chan Kin-wa

Political uncertainty and the Covid-19 pandemic means Hong Kong has lost its flagship international motor racing event for the second year in a row, with the Formula E series bypassing the famous Central Harbourfront circuit for the 2020-21 season.
In a provisional schedule announced by world governing body the FIA, the next season will start in Santiago, Chile on January 16, 2021 and conclude with a double-header in London on July 24 & 25.
China will stage one race on March 21 with Sanya in Hainan province making a second appearance on the circuit. But there is no place for Hong Kong, which hosted a race for three seasons in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
“The Hong Kong ePrix is left off the programme for many reasons but mostly because of the political situation in the city and the pandemic, which has affected local sponsorship,” said Lawrence Yu Kam-yee, governor of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, who was instrumental in helping Hong Kong become part of the inaugural circuit in 2016 when he was president of the body.

“First it was the social unrest in 2019 and now the Cold War between China and the United States, which served to scare off the organisers as well as local sponsors. Although the government is very willing to help, the political uncertainty is the biggest obstacle,” added Yu, referring to potential reaction to the recently enacted National Security Law.
2020 Hong Kong E-Prix race cancelled amid protest fears; Rugby Sevens still on
Yu estimated the cost for staging the Hong Kong ePrix would be around HK$50 million, much less than the HK$150 million needed for the first edition in 2016. Yu said most of the infrastructure was already in place, therefore the costs are much lower.
“It’s not an impossible figure for hosting such a world-class event but it’s the atmosphere that turns people away,” he said.
A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, whose Tourism Commission oversees the motor racing showpiece, said the government was still keen to bring the race back to Hong Kong.
“The government has maintained close communication with the Formula E organisers regarding the 2020-21 race calendar,” she said. “We understand the decisions in choosing host cities take into account the latest circumstances. The government will continue its conversation with the organisers regarding the return of the race to Hong Kong at the opportune juncture.”

Yu said Hong Kong had been one of the most successful ePrix events on the world circuit and he was extremely disappointed to see it being dropped from the programme for the second time.
“Both the Hong Kong ePrix and the one in Paris are two most successful events in terms of number of spectators and television coverage,” he said. “The organisers are always keen to bring the event to Hong Kong as what they did in the three previous versions, but unfortunately we have now missed the event twice.”
FIA strips Bird of Hong Kong E-Prix win after late drama
Hong Kong was originally part of the 2019-20 circuit when a race was scheduled for March 1, 2020 at the 1.8km circuit in the Central Harbourfront. But continuing street protests in the city since last June forced the world governing body to cancel the race and replaced it with the Marrakesh ePrix in Morocco.

But after the Marrakesh race on February 29, the FIA called off all of the season’s remaining races because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The season will now finish this summer with six races being scheduled across three different layouts at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit in Berlin between August 5-13.



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Formula E

Hong Kong Formula E race left off 2020-21 calendar amid political turmoil and Covid-19 pandemic

The famous Central Harbourfront circuit will be missing from the Formula E circuit for the second season in a row. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Oliver Rowland (#22) of Nissan E.Dams takes the lead from Stoffel Vandoorne (#5) of HWA Racelab at the start of the Hong Kong E-Prix. 10MAR19 SCMP/Sam Tsang

Accompanied by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah (1st left), Peter Lam Kin-ngok (2nd RIGHT), chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Lawrence Yu Kam-kee (1st RIGHT), senior of official of HKT HK E-prix, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of E-Formula, Alejandro Agag (centre) and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (left 2) during the opening of the HKT Hong Kong E-Prix 2017 in Central. 02DEC17 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

Renault e.dams driver Sébastien Buemi celebrates his win after received the trophy from Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (Right) at 2016 FIA Formula E HKT Hong Kong ePrix in Central. 09OCT16 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

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FIA chief Jean Todt and Formula E boss Alejandro Agag shake hands after signing the world championship agreement in Paris. Photo: FIA

Hong Kong racing driver Marchy Lee Ying-kin (L) chats with Hong Kong Automobile Association governor, Lawrence Yu Kam-kee (black jacket) at the Phoenix Racing Asia team's press conference for their participation for next month's 24 Hours of Dubai (24H DUBAI 2018) at the Phoenix Racing Asia Team headquarters in Chai Wan. 20DEC17 SCMP/Unus Alladin.

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Albert Lau is the race engineer for the Venturi Formula E team. Photo: Albert Lau

Albert Lau, race engineer for Venturi Mercedes

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Hong Kong E-Prix to consider move from Central harbourfront as Formula E chiefs hold talks with government

Spectators watches the Hong Kong ePrix (Formula E championship) from the IFC rooftop in Central. 10MAR19 SCMP / Felix Wong

Lawrence Yu and Hong Kong driver Darryl O'Young at the Hong Kong E-Prix

The iconic Central Harbourfront may not be hosting the Hong Kong E-Prix next year. Photo: Sam Tsang

Sport

Motorsport


Sponsors shy away because of the political situation and the pandemic, says governor of Hong Kong Automobile Association
It is the second season in a row Hong Kong will be without a Formula E race after the 2020 event was cancelled because of social unrest



Sponsors shy away because of the political situation and the pandemic, meaning Hong Kong will again be without a Formula E race after social unrest forced cancellation of 2020 event.


Hong Kong E-Prix

2019 FIA Formula E Hong Kong E-Prix

Hong Kong protests

Coronavirus pandemic