Getting To Know Jakarta And JIEC, Venue For The Ninth Series Of Formula E 2022

Formula E Circuit in Ancol. (Photo: Instagram @aniesbaswedan)

JAKARTA - The 9th Round of Formula E 2022 will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is the first time in the history of Formula E to be held in Indonesia.

The Jakarta Formula E race will be held at the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit (JIEC) Ancol, North Jakarta, June 4.

Before the competition is held, here are things you need to know why Jakarta is the right city for Formula E.

Metropolis

Located on the northwest coast of Java, Jakarta is the largest city in Southeast Asia and is also the most populous city on the island. With an area of 664.01km2, Jakarta is home to nearly 11 million people, making it the second largest city in the world after Tokyo.

Modern Old Town

Jakarta is a city known as a modern area. But apart from that, Jakarta is also the oldest continuously inhabited city in Southeast Asia. Founded in the fourth century as Sunda Kelapa which was an important trading port for the Sunda Kingdom, the rest of the journey can still be found on the north side of Jakarta.

Jakarta Formula E Circuit. (Photo: Doc. Formula E official website)

Global Phenomenon City

It's hard not to say that Jakarta is a city with global importance. As Alpha World City, Jakarta is recognized as a hub for global finance and law and is the seat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, along with the home of Bank Indonesia and the Indonesia Stock Exchange.

The Past and Present Together

In the past and today, Jakarta remains a city that continues to move in cultural and architectural accompaniment, reflecting Malay, Javanese, Dutch, Arabic and Chinese influences. Until this modern era, Jakarta still has remnants of colonial heritage in the form of koko architecture in the Old City of Jakarta.

National Monument As Icon

Central Jakarta is one of the fastest growing tourist attractions among tourists. Thanks to the melting pot background, with famous icons such as the Istiqlal Mosque as the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, the Cathedral Church and the Jakarta History Museum.

Besides that, Jakarta also has the most famous city icon, namely the National Monument, an obelisk as high as 132m in the middle of Merdeka Square. The monument, with its fire covered with pure gold, symbolizes Indonesia's struggle for and achievement of ultimate independence.

The National Monument (Monas) and electric buses in Jakarta. (Photo: Instagram @aniesbaswedan)

City with Challenges

Jakarta is a city facing major challenges from climate change and flooding. The city sinks by up to 17cm every year, which, together with rising sea levels due to climate change, makes Jakarta a city affected by the climate emergency.

There has never been a more important time for Formula E and other eco-focused initiatives to join the city's fight for a greener future.

Jakarta The City that Keeps Moving

As in any big, fast-growing city, air pollution and the use of fossil fuels are major problems for Jakarta, but times are changing.

In September 2019, the government set a target of 10,051 e-buses by 2030, with more than 50 percent electrification of the fleet by 2025 and full electrification by 2030.

By 2025 millions of electric two-wheeled vehicles are also planned to be used on city roads, this is starting to be realized with more than a dozen manufacturers who have so far established electric vehicle facilities in Indonesia.

In 2016, officials in Jakarta committed to reduce the city's water and energy consumption by 30 percent, and incorporate 30 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2030.

New coal-fired power projects are banned from 2023, and solar initiatives are proving promising, with solar panels installed in nearly 100 schools.

JIEC Circuit, Jakarta Formula E venue. (Photo: Doc. Formula E official website)

A New City Joining Formula E

Apart from Seoul, Jakarta is one of two new cities to join the Formula E calendar this season. Both locations are significant steps for the championship. The Jakarta E-Prix 2022 will be the first international motorcycle race in Indonesia since the visit of the 2008 GP2 Asia series.

Asian heritage

While the track in Jakarta is a new world for the riders, Asia is one of the most visited continents for the championship. Formula E has raced on the continent 16 times since 2014, and the first Formula E race took place in Beijing, while the 50th was held in Hong Kong.

Prior to this season, the championship had seen races in five Asian countries including Hong Kong and Beijing, the series having wowed audiences in Malaysia's Putrajaya, Saudi Arabia's Diriyah and Sanya in the South China Sea.

The Jakarta E-Prix Circuit made two racers, Lucas di Grassi (ROKiT Venturi Racing) and Sam Bird (Jaguar TCS Racing) have very good memories of racing in Asia. Di Grassi has been on the podium seven times on the continent, while Bird has won a quarter of all Formula E races in five locations.

They both hope to add Jakarta as a place where they can get trophies.

Track Shape

The track in Jakarta is approximately the same length as the New York City E-Prix track at Red Hook. With a length of 2.37 km, this circuit is located in the Ancol area, on the coast of Jakarta Bay and the Java Sea.

JIEC is a track specially designed to create a lasting legacy in the city and revive the area after the pandemic.

The shape of the track is inspired by Kuda Lumping, a traditional Javanese dance depicting cavalry made of woven bamboo and decorated with paint and cloth.

The erratic dance gives way to a dancer in a flowing, trance-like state, displaying immense physical strength and endurance.

This way, the circuit will give the impression of a fast and flowing circuit after Turn 4 to Turn 13. Turn 11 and the attack mode of Turn 16 are also arranged in such a way as to give the driver extra room to create speed to the absolute limit.