Formula E Circuit Starts To Be Paved, Jakpro: On Schedule

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) Widi Manasto said that currently the area of the Formula E circuit in Ancol, North Jakarta, has begun to be paved.

"It's already paved. We'll see it right away," said Widi when contacted, Friday, March 4.

As of February 23, construction work on the Formula E circuit reached 28.5 percent. However, at this time, Widi did not reveal how the progress of the construction of the electric car racing track was.

"I need to check again what the percentage is. But the point is it's on schedule (according to the schedule)," he said.

Previously, Vice Managing Director of Formula E Jakpro, Gunung Kartiko revealed that the asphalt construction on the Formula E track was different from the more complicated asphalt of the MotoGP title. Formula E asphalt material, said Gunung, is the same as road asphalt.

"Formula E is typical for road racing. Because this is a city track, so actually the asphalt is asphalt on the road. For Mandalika (MotoGP) it uses special specifications. It's different from Formula E," said Gunung some time ago.

Likewise with the implementation of Formula E in other countries. Gunung revealed that the electric car racing circuits in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia and Mexico also use road asphalt.

According to Gunung, Formula E Operation (FEO) as the license holder of Formula E in early February had also directly reviewed the asphalt material and barrier that had been prepared.

He guarantees that the circuit work can be completed within three months until next April. Then, in May, trials can be carried out, before the implementation on June 4, 2022.

"That's why, if someone says that (the circuit) won't be completed in 3 months because it only takes months to build Mandalika, yes, the specs are different," he explained.

Meanwhile, PT Jaya Konstruksi as the contractor for the construction of the Formula E circuit in the Ancol area, North Jakarta, is currently working on it.

The person in charge of Formula E construction from PT Jaya Konstruksi, Ari Wibowo admits that there are zones where the land is difficult to cultivate because the soil structure is quite wet and soft.

Circuit work is divided into 5 zones. The zone that Ari is referring to is zone 5. This zone is located on the easternmost side of the Ancol area. To make things even more difficult, this zone covers 40 percent of the total circuit length.

"As much as 40 percent of this work is in zone 5. So, zone 5 is the most difficult, draining energy and concentration the most. The zone that stands on soft ground is the most problematic," said Ari.

It is known, the circuit has been built since February 3, 2022 and is targeted to be completed on March 28, 2022. The source of funds for this project is from PT Jakarta Propertindo's company money of around Rp. 50 billion.

The shape of the Formula E track is said to be similar to a lumping horse. Then, the location of the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit has 18 bends, 600 meters of straight track, clockwise direction, and 2.4 kilometers of track length.

After completion of construction, the circuit will be reviewed and tested by FEO as the license holder of Formula E. Until finally, Formula E will officially be held in Ancol on June 4, 2022.