The Laying Of The Groundbreaking For The Bintan Formula 1 Circuit Retreats Until After Eid

JAKARTA – The groundbreaking for the construction of the Formula 1 (F1) Circuit in Bintan was carried out after Eid. Currently, the circuit construction plan is still in the Detail Engineering Design (DED) stage.

The groundbreaking was previously planned for March 17. However, the DED which includes the development landscape and business plan is targeted for completion on April 20.

"So we can proceed to the groundbreaking preparation process, which is planned to be carried out in May 2022 by President Joko Widodo who is also the father of Indonesian Automotive", said Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI), Bambang Soesatyo, in an official statement on the IMI website.

Currently a well-known British consultant, Populous, is in the process of completing the DED. In the process, they were assisted by renowned architect and designer Hermann Tilke.

Populous has designed many motorsport landscapes in various countries in the world. These include Silverstone Circuit, Alabama Motorsports Park Circuit, Dubai Autodrome, Business Park, Iceland Motopark, The Circuit of Wales, and The London Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Hermann Tilke has designed various world circuits used for Formula 1, such as the Bahrain International Circuit, Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Highway Circuit, Spain's Catalunya Circuit, Singapore's Marina Bay Highway Circuit, and the United Arab Emirates' Yas Marina Abu Dhabi Circuit.

Bambang said that the Bintan F1 circuit is targeted to immediately get Grade One certification from the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). If it gets the certificate then the circuit can immediately hold Formula 1.

"Thus, Indonesia will have two international circuits that can host the two highest caste racing sports in the world. For car racing, namely Formula 1 in Bintan, while for motorcycle racing, namely MotoGP at the Mandalika International Circuit", he said.

The DED Bintan F1 International Circuit is planned to match the concept of the Circuit in Mandalika which emphasizes natural scenery and is built on an area of 75 to 100 hectares.

At least two land areas have been prepared for the construction of the circuit. The area is adjacent to Lagoi Bay lake and behind Pasir Panjang Beach.