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