Selamat siang! It’s time to get ready for the 2023 edition of Jakarta E-Prix across rounds 10 and 11 of the Formula E World Championship.
Credit: unsplash.com/@visualbywahyu
It’s time to go back to Jakarta – a race that will make it’s appearance for the second time in the history of Formula E’s calendar, and we’re really excited for it. The inaugural E-Prix last year provided phenomenal spectacle, and we have no doubts that this year it will be even better.
Last time out in Jakarta, it was a brand new territory for the drivers, teams, and fans alike. Despite the unfamiliarity, the event attracted enormous sell-out crowds and garnered the attention of millions worldwide. And the E-Prix did not disappoint – the race could not get more intense, with three drivers crossing the finish line within a few car lengths of each other! In 2022, it was Evans ahead of Vergne and Mortara – who will it be this year?
The specially designed track is located on the scenic Ancol Beach, the largest park in South East Asia, attracting approximately 40,000 daily visitors. With its distinctive banked sections, varied terrain, bumps, and a blend of technical and high-speed segments, it presents a genuine challenge. Spanning 2.37 kilometres and featuring 18 turns, the circuit commences with a tight initial sector following a lengthy stretch on the start/finish straight. The final section poses a tricky combination of turns, starting with a fast right-hander at Turn 12, followed by another long straight that leads to a bustling hairpin at Turn 13 during the race. The lap ends with a challenging left-hand turn at Turn 18, requiring a strong slingshot down the lengthy home straight. It’s important to note that it is 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.
As said by Mitch Evans, the winner of last year’s E-Prix about his time in Jakarta: “The fans were incredible. They’ve always been always very supportive of motorsport. I think for Formula E it’s very important to come to Indonesia, it’s obviously a huge population. The whole event has been really smooth, the track’s been great. I’m hoping we come back next year, just maybe a little bit colder would be nice!”
Just before we get fully ready for Jakarta – what happened in Monaco? It was Nick Cassidy again standing on the top spot of the podium, propelling him into P1 in the Drivers Standings and his team into P1 in the Teams Standings. Starting from ninth on the grid, Cassidy showcased a remarkable performance, fending off fellow New Zealander Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing. Despite intense pressure from Evans, Cassidy’s early-race maneuvers, including a well-executed move at the Fairmont Hairpin on Lap 4, allowed him to secure the lead by Lap 7 with the help of the first round of ATTACK MODE activations. With a late-race Safety Car ensuring his victory, Cassidy crossed the finish line ahead of Evans, solidifying his position at the top of the championship. It was Dennis up in third, continuing the momentum he claimed back in Berlin, and showing no signs of slowing down. During the race, Jean-Eric Vergne also made an impressive recovery from the back of the pack to finish seventh, securing valuable points.
Cassidy is now 20 points clear of Wherein in second, but in true Formula E fashion – anything can happen, especially considering that this year’s event in Jakarta is a double header. At least four different drivers can take the lead away from the Kiwi in P1, and we know it will be an intense battle up in the front this upcoming weekend.
Here’s the sessions schedule for this weekend’s double-header Jakarta E-Prix:
FP1 – 02/06/2023 – 10:25 -11:15 CET
FP2 – 03/06/2023 – 03:05 – 03:55 CET
Qualifying – 03/06/2023 – 05:40 – 06:55 CET
Race – 03/06/2023 – 10:03 – 11:30 CET
FP3 – 04/06/2023 – 03:05 – 03:55 CET
Qualifying -04/06/2023 – 10:40 – 11:55 05:40 – 06:55 CET
Race – 04/06/2023 – 10:03 – 11:30 CET
As per usual, you can find the coverage of the WHOLE weekend here at Pitdebrief.com, and don’t forget: enjoy the race, wherever you are! ✨
