President Jokowi Dubs Formula E as “Event of the Future”

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 4 Juni 2022
Category: News
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President Jokowi hands over trophies to Formula E champions at Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit in Jakarta, Saturday (06/04). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called the 2022 Jakarta E-Prix as a success, dubbing it an “event of the future”.

The event, held on Saturday (06/04) at the brand-new Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit in Ancol, North Jakarta, is part of the annual international electric street race series Formula E.

Following the cancellation due to COVID-19, Indonesia finally managed to host the ninth round of the 2021-2022 Formula E season this year, making it the first E-Prix held on the Indonesian soil.

“Thank God, everything went smoothly. I think this is an event of the future because as we are aware, there will be a transition from [fossil fuel-run] cars to electric cars so this will become a spectacle that will gain more enthusiasts in the future,” the President said after watching the race.

According to the Head of State, the e-Prix has also brought positive impacts for Indonesia, especially as the country is set to build an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, which includes nickels as the raw material, smelters, lithium battery industry, and EVs.

“I suppose the technology displayed in Formula E will support that. Everything will be environmentally sound,” he said, adding that the Government fully supports Formula E’s all efforts that are positive for Indonesia, including the plan to hold Formula E race in Jakarta in two series as some other countries did.

“I think [the Government has given support] from the circuit construction. I also directly inspected it to check the preparedness, also matters related to goods entering the country, customs at Ministry of Finance. Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy also gave its support in terms of permits. Those are forms of support,” he said.

The President also expressed hope that there will be more races similar to Formula E held at home.

“It would be better if a circuit has more events. It will be more productive and better. If possible, there should be an event every week, or 10 events, 15 events every year,” he remarked.

For the record, the 2022 Jakarta E-Prix was won by Mitch Evans, a racer from New Zealand who competed for Jaguar TCS Racing team and finished the race in 48 minutes and 28.424 seconds.

In the second spot was French racer Jean-Eric Vergne for DS TECHEETAH team, followed by Swiss racer Edoardo Mortara for ROKiT Venturi Racing team in the third place. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/EP)

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