Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit

Hong Kong Central Harbourfront Circuit

Formula E circuit (2016–2019)

Rallycross Circuit (2023)
LocationHong Kong
Time zoneUTC+08:00
Coordinates22°16′55″N 114°09′29″E / 22.28194°N 114.15806°E / 22.28194; 114.15806
FIA Grade6R
Opened9 October 2016; 8 years ago (2016-10-09)
Major eventsFormer:
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)
Length1.860 km (1.156 miles)
Turns10
Race lap record1:02.317 (Germany Andre Lotterer, DS E-Tense FE 19, 2019, F-E)
Rallycross Circuit (2023)
Length0.802 km (0.498 miles)
Turns6
Race lap record0:35.673 (Sweden Johan Kristoffersson, ZEROID X1, 2023, RX1e)

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.

Events

Formula E

Formula E cars racing in 2016 Hong Kong ePrix

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

Hong 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

As 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

Season Date Driver Team Race Distance Race Time Report
Laps Miles (km)
ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
2016 Oct 9 Switzerland Sebastian Buemi e.DAMS Renault 45 51.795 (83.70) 53:13.298 Report
2017 Dec 2 United Kingdom Sam Bird Virgin-Citroën 43 49.708 (79.98) 1:17:10.486 Report
Dec 3 Sweden Felix Rosenqvist Mahindra 45 51.795 (83.70) 50:05.084
2019 Mar 10 Switzerland Edoardo Mortara Venturi 36 41.616 (66.96) 59:36.119 Report
FIA World Rallycross Championship
2023 Nov 11 Sweden Kevin Hansen Hansen 5 2.479 (3.990) 3:17:820 Report
Nov 12 Sweden Johan Kristoffersson Kristoffersson 5 2.479 (3.990) 3:09.300 Report

References

  1. ^ "Hong Kong government welcomes Formula E". Formula E. Formula E Holdings Limited. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Hong Kong Formula E race left off 2020-21 calendar amid political turmoil and Covid-19 pandemic". Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  4. ^ "[HONG KONG, LET'S RACE!] FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. HONG KONG TO HOST SEASON FINALE". World RX HK. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  5. ^ "LAYOUT REVEALED FOR 2023 FIA WORLDRX HONG KONG CITY CIRCUIT. SEE YOU IN CENTRAL NOVEMBER 11-12!". World RX HK. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ^ "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.