Formula E is making racing history this weekend. We’ll see the first Jakarta ePrix, which marks the FIA’s first sanctioned race in Indonesia since 2006. It’s been a long road getting to this point, but here’s what to expect in the capital of Indonesia.
New City, New Track, New Issues
It isn’t easy planning a motor race. Several elements factor into race planning. That includes medical support, sponsors, setup and tear down, etc. It’s difficult when racing on a new track or in a new country.
So far, Jakarta is one of the most controversial circuits of the season. Between issues with the location, hosting rights fees, and the roof falling on a grandstand, it’s been a whirlwind getting to this point. Now, we get to see what Indonesia has to offer from a racing spectacle.
Last week, I mentioned that, should F1 move on from Monaco, they’d be setting a new standard in hosting locations. For Formula E, their hosting decisions differ slightly from F1. They typically race on street circuits in major cities to provide exposure and attract new fans. Certainly, Jakarta fits that bill, and we’ll see if all of this leads to an exciting race.
Action is Heating Up in Formula E
So far, it’s Stoffel Vandoorne and everyone else in the standings. Vandoorne leads with 111 points, beating his previous career-high of 87 in 2019-20. He has finished in the top five in the last five races and looks primed to win another race.
The battle between P2 and P5 is intriguing. 18 points separate Edoardo Mortara in second and Robin Frijns in fifth, with Jean-Eric Verne and Mitch Evans filling in the gaps. As a result, we have five different drivers from five separate teams in the top five. Pretty exciting if you ask me.
Last season’s Driver Champion Nyck de Vries is coming off his second win of the year in Berlin almost three weeks ago. Former F1 driver Pascal Wehrlein is on pace for his best season, getting his first Formula E win in Mexico last February. Finally, Antonio Giovinazzi, who drove for Alfa Romeo last year in F1, is still searching for his first Formula E points.
What Does the Future Hold for Formula E and Jakarta?
There’s no word on if Jakarta is returning to the calendar next season. As of Wednesday afternoon, most tickets are sold out, except for Ancol Festival (a watch party with no access to the track or fan zone). If there’s a demand for tickets and television numbers continue to grow in Indonesia, I don’t see why they wouldn’t go back.
As of now, there are eight races on next season’s calendar, including four new circuits. This season, the Formula E schedule consists of 16 races, the most ever in a season. It included two locations, both in Asia, with Jakarta and Seoul. While Formula E probably isn’t going to race as often as F1, they still travel to each continent (except Australia) and make it easy for fans to watch as each race is live on their YouTube channel.
There’s a lot to like about where Formula E is heading. Whether it’s the racing, the tracks, or sustainability methods, things look promising in electric motorsports. To think this is only the eighth season is remarkable and as Formula E continues to grow and attract new fans, the product is going to get better. So buckle up, because we’ve got high-stakes racing this weekend.