The Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit is a street circuit on the Central Harbourfront on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, facing the Victoria Harbour. A 1.860 km (1.156 mi) layout was used between 2016 and 2019 for the Hong Kong ePrix of the single-seater, electrically powered Formula E championship. Its first use was on 9 October 2016, as the opening ePrix of the 2016–17 Formula E season and its last use being in 10 March 2019.[1] A 0.802 km (0.498 mi) rallycross circuit on the Harbourfront was separately designed for the FIA World Rallycross Championship in the season finale of its 2023 season.
 Formula E circuit (2016–2019) .png) Rallycross Circuit (2023) | |
| Location | Hong Kong |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+08:00 |
| Coordinates | 22°16′55″N 114°09′29″E / 22.28194°N 114.15806°E |
| FIA Grade | 6R |
| Opened | 9 October 2016 |
| Major events | Former: Formula E Hong Kong ePrix (2016–2017, 2019) Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy (2019) FIA World RX World RX of Hong Kong, China (2023) |
| Street Circuit (2016–2019) | |
| Length | 1.860 km (1.156 miles) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 1:02.317 ( Andre Lotterer, DS E-Tense FE 19, 2019, F-E) |
| Rallycross Circuit (2023) | |
| Length | 0.802 km (0.498 miles) |
| Turns | 6 |
| Race lap record | 0:35.673 ( Johan Kristoffersson, ZEROID X1, 2023, RX1e) |
Events
editFormula E
edit
The circuit had been used to hold the Hong Kong ePrix in 2016, 2017 and 2019. A total of 4 races were held on this circuit in the 2016–17 season, 2017-18 season and the 2018–19 season.
The circuit failed to meet regulations set forth by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). FIA regulations require tracks to be 2.2 km (1.4 mi) long but the Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit was only 1.860 km (1.156 mi) long. [2] The FIA required Hong Kong to extend the circuit to 2.2 km (1.4 mi) for the 2019–20 season, in which two more teams were expected to enter the E-Prix.[2] Lawrence Yu, governor of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, cited difficulties in extending the track to the west as the Hong Kong station on the western side of the circuit links up the city with the airport. An extension to the east of the circuit through a tunnel was considered too dangerous for the cars to be running at high speeds along a straight road before they enter the tunnel.[2]
The Hong Kong ePrix was eventually dropped from the 2019–20 season.[3]
World Rallycross Championship
editHong Kong was selected to host the final two rounds of the 2023 season in World RX in March 2023.[4] For the first time in the series' history, a 1.225 km (0.761 mi)-long street circuit was designed on the Central Harbourfront, using parts of public roads used by the Formula E circuit. Gravel sections of the rallycross circuit were laid on the Central Harbourfront Event Space.[5] Last-minute track alterations were made one day prior to the race weekend owing to delay in track construction. The circuit was shortened to 0.802 km (0.498 mi) by dropping the two longest asphalt straights from the layout.[6]
Hong Kong did not return to the 2024 calendar of World RX.
Lap records
editAs of November 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula E Circuit: 1.860 km (2016–2019) | ||||
| Formula E | 1:02.317 | Andre Lotterer | DS E-Tense FE 19 | 2019 Hong Kong ePrix |
| Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy | 1:21.657 | Bryan Sellers | Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy (racecar) | 2019 Hong Kong Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy round |
| Rallycross Circuit: 0.802 km (2023) | ||||
| World RX | 0:35.673 | Johan Kristoffersson | ZEROID X1 | 2023 World RX of Hong Kong, China |
Race winners
edit| Season | Date | Driver | Team | Race Distance | Race Time | Report | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laps | Miles (km) | ||||||
| ABB FIA Formula E World Championship | |||||||
| 2016 | Oct 9 |  Sebastian Buemi
|
e.DAMS Renault | 45 | 51.795 (83.70) | 53:13.298 | Report |
| 2017 | Dec 2 |  Sam Bird
|
Virgin-Citroën | 43 | 49.708 (79.98) | 1:17:10.486 | Report |
| Dec 3 | Felix Rosenqvist
|
Mahindra | 45 | 51.795 (83.70) | 50:05.084 | ||
| 2019 | Mar 10 | Edoardo Mortara
|
Venturi | 36 | 41.616 (66.96) | 59:36.119 | Report |
| FIA World Rallycross Championship | |||||||
| 2023 | Nov 11 | Kevin Hansen
|
Hansen | 5 | 2.479 (3.990) | 3:17:820 | Report |
| Nov 12 | Johan Kristoffersson
|
Kristoffersson | 5 | 2.479 (3.990) | 3:09.300 | Report | |
References
edit- ^ "Hong Kong government welcomes Formula E". Formula E. Formula E Holdings Limited. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
- ^ a b c "Formula E: Hong Kong could be dropped from 2020 calendar if organisers fail to extend circuit". 7 January 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Hong Kong Formula E race left off 2020-21 calendar amid political turmoil and Covid-19 pandemic". Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "[HONG KONG, LET'S RACE!] FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. HONG KONG TO HOST SEASON FINALE". World RX HK. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ "LAYOUT REVEALED FOR 2023 FIA WORLDRX HONG KONG CITY CIRCUIT. SEE YOU IN CENTRAL NOVEMBER 11-12!". World RX HK. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ "FIA World Rallycross in Hong Kong: minister and race officials defend city over delayed, shortened event". South China Morning Post. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
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