Jakarta ePrix

The Jakarta ePrix was an annual race of the single-seater, electrically powered Formula E championship, which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was the first FIA-sanctioned race in the country since the A1 GP Grand Prix of Nations race in Sentul in 2006 and the first-ever motor racing event to be administered directly by the FIA. History The plan to include Jakarta as part of the 2020 Formula E Championship was conceived in Monaco in April 2019 and discussed in New York City in July 2019, when the Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, met with the FIA to discuss the city hosting Formula E from the 2019–20 season. In August, the decision was made and the event was officially announced in September 2019, with Jakarta originally intended to hold the event for five consecutive years starting from 2020. It was supposed to have been first held in the 2019–20 season, on 6 June 2020, with the circuit initially planned to run around the National Monument (Monas). Early reports described a route of "between 2.7 and 3 km" with "12 to 13 corners"; the layout was later finalised in February 2020 at 2.588 km (1.608 mi) long, with 11 corners and a width of between 5 and 12 m, starting in front of Jakarta's city hall, with an FIA Grade 3E circuit licence. The race was cancelled shortly afterwards as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with track paving around Monas halted in March 2020. The Monas plan was later abandoned altogether because of permit issues and the circuit's proximity to vital state buildings within the capital's restricted "Ring 1" security zone. On 15 October 2021, it was announced that the race would be the ninth round of the 2021–22 Formula E World Championship, making it the first ePrix in Indonesia and the country the fourth in Asia to host an ePrix, following China (including Hong Kong), Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. The event and its planning have been surrounded by several controversies, such as high commitment fees and location uncertainty. Despite the difficulties surrounding its preparation, the inaugural 2022 Jakarta ePrix was considered a success. Drivers praised the new Jakarta International e-Prix Circuit after first practice, even though conditions were hot and humid; Jaguar driver Mitch Evans said the track offered good grip that dropped away sharply off-line, so drivers could not force the car into the corners and had to lift off the throttle earlier than usual because of the nature of several turns, adding that he enjoyed the layout. Evans went on to win the race itself after a dramatic late overtake, passing then-leader Jean-Éric Vergne at Turn 7 on lap 31; from there, energy management became critical for the two front-runners as they fought under intense heat, allowing Edoardo Mortara to close onto the lead group. Evans held off both rivals in the closing stages despite fading rear tyres, crossing the line ahead of Vergne and Mortara, with all three separated by less than a second at the finish. The Jakarta ePrix was not held in 2024, as the date would have coincided with the 2024 Indonesian presidential election; the event returned to the calendar in 2025. Official names and sponsors Circuit The original circuit was initially to be situated around the National Monument and the Merdeka Square, both in Central Jakarta. The announcement of the location was delayed until January 2022, from the original schedule of December 2021. The executive director of the Center of Youth and Population Research (CYPR), Dedek Prayudi, commented that the 2022 Jakarta ePrix could have been delayed or cancelled as a result of location uncertainty. As of December 2021, five alternative sites were under consideration: Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), and Ancol. Eventually, the location of the circuit would be announced on 23 December according to the main director of PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), Widi Amanasto. The event's chief organizer, Ahmad Sahroni, said that only two of the five options for the circuit's location remained, Ancol or JIEXPO Kemayoran. On 22 December, following multiple postponements, Ancol was selected as the location for the race, with construction of the circuit beginning in February 2022, track paving finishing in April 2022, and all supporting infrastructure declared complete by 1 June 2022, days before the first race. The race's location in Ancol caused controversy, as the circuit was constructed on a mud dump that had been used during the previous governorships of Joko Widodo and Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. While the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) opposed tree logging at the location, the main director of Jakpro, Widi Amanasto, said that the trees would not be cut down, but would instead be relocated. Jakarta's vice governor, Ahmad Riza Patria, said that the race was not supposed to be held on the swamps. The Jakarta International e-Prix Circuit, the eventual permanent home of the race, is 2.4 km (1.5 mi) long and 12 m wide, with 18 corners. The circuit runs clockwise and features a 600 m main straight. Circuit data Track length: 2.4 km (1.5 mi) Track width: 12 m Longest straight: 600 m Circuit licence: FIA Grade 3E Semi-permanent pit garages 9 semi-permanent enclosed grandstands, with a capacity of 50,000 spectators Access The Jakarta International e-Prix Circuit is located near Ancol Beach on Jakarta Bay. Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is roughly a 30-minute drive west of the circuit. As with most Formula E events, public transport was recommended as the preferred way to reach the ePrix; private vehicles were permitted inside the circuit grounds only for holders of Jakarta Royal Suite 1A tickets. Free shuttle buses ran to the circuit on race day from JIEXPO Kemayoran for holders of Grandstand, Hospitality, and Circuit Festival tickets, while holders of Ancol Festival tickets could enter via the PGU South and West gates, Busway, and Marina, without dedicated parking. Facilities and E-Village Alongside the racing, each Jakarta ePrix featured an "E-Village" fan festival with entertainment and food areas. The village housed simulator rigs where fans could experience electric racing on a tight, adrenaline-fuelled circuit, along with driver autograph sessions, and displays of electric and hybrid vehicles from manufacturers including Audi, Jaguar, and BMW. A dedicated "E-Race" zone let gamers race against real Formula E drivers in simulation games, sponsor stands showcased new technology and transport innovations, and a stage hosted live music from Indonesian acts such as Kotak, Gigi, and D'Masiv. A "Taste Zone" offered local food and drink from various vendors, a "Recharge" station let visitors charge their electronic devices, and a children's area offered face painting, oversized games, and entertainers. Incidents and controversies Fees The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) cited high commitment fees paid to the Jakarta government for the Jakarta ePrix. Also, according to Government Regulation No. 19 of 2019 concerning Regional Finance Management, Article 98, paragraph (6), funding of activities for multiple years shall not exceed the end of office, except for national priorities and strategic affairs, as the governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, was slated to leave office in 2022. In response to the high commitment fees, Hardiyanto Kenneth, a member of the Regional People's Representative Council in Jakarta, requested their return. Interpellation In August 2021, the political parties Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and Indonesian Solidarity Party attempted a failed interpellation of Jakarta ePrix against Anies Baswedan for being introduced into his 2021–2022 regional priorities. According to Prasetio, the event will potentially burden future governors after Anies leaves office. Tender failure As of 24 January 2022, the tender to construct the circuit was declared failed according to the e-procurement site of PT Jakpro. A member of the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council, Gembong Warsono, alleged an intentional tender failure to enable PT Jakpro to select contractors directly. Despite the failure of the tender, it was later announced on 5 February that PT Jaya Konstruksi Manggala Pratama won the tender. Accident On 27 May 2022, the grandstand roof at the Ancol circuit collapsed due to strong winds. On 4 June 2022, a portion of the circuit caught fire. Results See also Electric motorsport Extreme E List of Formula E drivers List of Formula E ePrix Notes References Further reading (in English) Abqa, Muhammad Ardhi Razaq; Apriyadi, Faris; Yusliwidaka, Arnanda (2022). "Legal Politics DKI Jakarta Government Policies In The Implementation Of Formula-E During The Covid-19 Pandemic". Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar. ISSN 2615-4374. [1] (in Indonesian) Ega Safari, Ilham; Kartinawati, Erwin; Wiryawan, Hari (2021). "Pembingkaian Berita Penyelenggaraan Formula E Jakarta Pada Program Aiman Kompas Tv". Universitas Sahid Surakarta. ISSN 2830-2311. [2] (in Indonesian) Ramadhan, Fadhil; Susiatiningsih, Hermini; Eko Wahyudi, Fendy (2022). "Paradiplomasi Provinsi DKI Jakarta Mengenai Penyelenggaraan Formula E". Universitas Diponegoro. DOI:10.14710/jirud.v8i3.34657. [3]