Believe it or not, it’s only been four months since reigning FIA Formula E Champion and Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler Driver Lucas di Grassi claimed his title in Montreal but for most of us – especially former champ and rival Renault e.dams driver Sebastien Buemi – it’s felt like an eternity.
But fear not, fans and followers because very shortly, the waiting and wishing will be no more as we welcome in the double-header 2017 HKT Hong Kong E-Prix and the start of Formula E’s fourth season on Saturday December 2 and Sunday December 3.
Whether it’s your first or your fifteenth time to an E-Prix, we’ve devised a nifty, step-by-step guide to all that’s taking place at the HKT Hong Kong E-Prix this year. Have a browse below.
All the times stated below are local to Hong Kong and are subject to change. Keep an eye on the information at the event for live updates.
Can’t make it to the race? No problem – why not check out our broadcast guide to see when to tune in to catch all the action.
SATURDAY
07:00 – Non-qualifying Practice 1
For the early birds, there’s Non-Qualifying Practice 1. Here the teams and drivers take to the track for the first time in earnest – allowing them to get a feel for the course and adapt to the car set-up in a 45minute period. As the name suggests, this is a free practice session. In this, the cars are able to use full power of 200kW throughout.
08:00 – Grandstands open
Take your seats, ladies and gentlemen the grandstands are now officially open.
08:40 – Pit walk for grandstand ticket holders
Those with a grandstand ticket will be able to take part in a pit walk, getting a closer look at the teams and drivers as they prepare for the race.
09:30 – Non-qualifying Practice 2
The same as before, with 200kW of power available only this time the session is 30-minutes long.
10:00 – Allianz E-Village opens
The Allianz E-Village – Formula E’s festival of technology, entertainment and innovation - is home to all the off-track action, including the drivers’ autograph session. With food stalls, interactive displays and activities, the Alliance E-Village has something for fans of all ages.
11:00 – Qualifying
Qualifying determines the starting grid for the race, with the fastest driver lining-up in first place. The session lasts one hour and sees drivers divided into groups, decided by a lottery conducted in advance. Each driver has six minutes to set their best time, with the top-five drivers proceeding to the Super Pole shoot-out.
11:45 – Super Pole
During the Super Pole shoot-out, the drivers go out one-by-one, with the fifth fastest driver from the group stages going out first. When he or she crosses the line to start their flying lap, the pitlane light turns green and the fourth fastest driver heads out. This is repeated until all five drivers have completed a lap. The fastest driver out of the five will be awarded the Julius Baer Pole Position and an additional three points. It’s all worth fighting for.
12:45 – E-Race
Not all the racing in Formula E takes place on track. At every round in the championship is the E-Race – a virtual race where drivers, fans and other competitors battle it out on simulators, that replicate the action on track taking place in the Allianz E-Village. Fancy yourself as a gamer? This is the place to prove it.
13:00 – Drivers’ autograph session
Formula E offers fans and followers unparalleled access to some of the best motorsport talents in the world. Here’s your chance to meet the drivers in the Allianz E-Village before they go out on track. Don’t forget to bring along your Formula E merchandise!
13:10 – Roborace
Watch Roborace - Formula E’s driverless support event – test its latest car technology on the track. As the world’s first driverless racing car, Roborace is a platform to test future road relevant technologies.
13:55 – Opening Ceremony
This is it, the opening ceremony of Formula E’s fourth season. Take your seats, ladies and gentlemen, the green light is just moments away.
15:00 – Race 1
This is what all 10 teams and 20 drivers have been waiting for, the first race of Formula E Season Four.
16:05 – Podium Ceremony
That’s it, the results are in and three drivers will take to the podium but only one can take the title – who will it be? Watch them celebrate with Mumm champagne in the Allianz E-Village.
18:00 – Gates and grandstands close
That’s it for day one but, don’t worry, another day of racing awaits on Hong Kong’s iconic Harbourfront as we look towards Round Two of the championship. Don’t forget to vote on FANBOOST for Round 2.
SUNDAY
08:00 – Grandstands open
Time to take a seat and watch the day’s action unfold. See the map for details on where the grandstands are located.
08:30 – Non-qualifying Practice 3
The third and final chance for the drivers to get a feel for their cars and the track ahead of the second race in Hong Kong.
09:25 – Pit Walk for grandstand ticket holders
Those with a grandstand ticket will be able to take part in a pit walk, getting a closer look at the teams and drivers as they prepare for the race.
10:00 – E-Village opens
The Allianz E-Village – Formula E’s festival of technology, entertainment and innovation - is home to all the off-track action, including the drivers’ autograph session. With food stalls, interactive displays and activities, the Alliance E-Village has something for fans of all ages.
11:00 – Qualifying
Just like before, the qualifying sessions determine the starting grid for the race, with the fastest driver lining-up in first place. The session lasts one hour and sees drivers divided into groups, decided by a lottery conducted in advance. Each driver has six minutes to set their best time, with the top-five drivers proceeding to the Super Pole shoot-out.
11:45 - Super Pole 2
Another round, another Super Pole shoot out and the chance to clinch the Julius Baer Pole Position as well as three extra points. Just as before, during the Super Pole shoot-out, the drivers go out one-by-one, with the fifth fastest driver from the group stages going out first. When he or she crosses the line to start their flying lap, the pitlane light turns green and the fourth fastest driver heads out. This is repeated until all five drivers have completed a lap. The fastest driver out of the five will be awarded the Julius Baer Pole Position and an additional three points. It’s all worth fighting for.
13:00 – Drivers’ autograph session
Formula E offers fans and followers unparalleled access to some of the best motorsport talents in the world. Here’s your chance to meet the drivers in the Allianz E-Village before they go out on track. Don’t forget to bring along your Formula E merchandise!
13:20 – Roborace
Another chance to see Roborace demonstrate the latest in driverless technology on the track.
15:00 – Race 2
Once again, all it to play for as Hong Kong’s Harbourfront plays host to Round Two of the FIA Formula E Championship. Will Round One’s winner clinch another victory?
16:00 – Podium Ceremony
On the podium, while there’s space for three drivers, there’s only one top spot. Watch the drivers celebrate with Mumm champagne in the Allianz E-Village.
18:00 – HKT Hong Kong E-Prix Closes
So, that’s it for Hong Kong but there’s still 12 rounds of all-electric racing to go, spread across 10 of the world’s greatest cities and five continents. Welcome to racing, reinvented. We’re just getting started…
Click here for the full calendar listing.