Formula E Officially Canceled Due To Corona

JAKARTA - After considering for some time, the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan officially postponed the implementation of Formula E in Jakarta. This step was taken as an effort to prevent the transmission of the corona virus or COVID-19.

The postponement of Formula E, which should be held on June 6, is stated in the letter of the Governor of DKI Number 117 / -1.857.73 This letter is addressed to the Jakarta E-Prix Organizing Committee on March 9, 2020.

"Because we put health and safety as top priorities, we said that we would postpone the implementation of Formula E in June," said Anies at the City Hall of DKI, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, March 11.

However, Anies admitted that he did not know when the electric-powered racing event could be held again. Although, currently DKI Pemprov has prepared construction and has paid a commitment fee of Rp360 billion.

However, Anies is not worried about the potential loss. This is because, he said, as long as Formula E is still running during the 5-year contract period, the commitment fee will not be forfeited. "Nothing was forfeited from the Formula E commitment fee, because this (agreement) is a single year," said Anies.

Furthermore, Anies's strong reason for postponing the Formula E title was to prevent more and more citizens from contracting the corona virus. Because, this emission-free car racing competition presents racers and teams from various countries.

It is feared that Formula E participants and foreign tourists who will come to Jakarta will carry a virus that has spread throughout the world.

"Formula E is an activity attended by international tourists. The risks that may occur are too great for Jakarta, if tourists come from a country that has a corona virus case. We don't want to sacrifice the safety of citizens," explained Anies.

Previously, the Jakarta E-Prix Operational Committee (OC) Communication Director, Felicia Idama, said that she had coordinated with Formula E Operations (FEO).

They agreed to continue monitoring the progress of the situation first. However, Felicia did not deny that the virus outbreak from China had affected preparations.

"We agreed to wait and see. We will monitor its progress because the Corona virus was detected in Indonesia only 1-2 ago. We will see its progress because the event is still held in June," Felicia said on Wednesday, March 4.

Two Formula E races have also been postponed. The Shanghai, China series, which was scheduled to be held on March 21, has been canceled. Meanwhile, the series Rome, Italy on April 4 was also canceled.