Targeting To Cut 50 Thousand Formula E Seats To 10 Thousand, Deputy Governor Says Because Ancol Land Is Limited

Formula E circuit plan in Ancol (Diah Ayu Wardani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Limited land in the Ancol area, North Jakarta is a factor in the decline in the number of Formula E spectator seats. Previously, the Formula E audience was targeted to reach 50 thousand. Now, the organizers say the minimum audience is 10 thousand seats.

Looking at the circuit design made by PT Jakarta Propertindo, spectator seats are not installed along the track, but only at a few points. Some parts of the circuit also coincide with housing and malls.

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, acknowledged the limited area for the Formula E circuit.

"Regarding the capacity (audience) it is adjusted to the capacity of the existing venue. Because the venue is in Ancol and it also has limitations. So, it is not possible in large numbers," said Riza at DKI City Hall, Monday, March 28.

Therefore, Riza suggested an alternative for people who later want to watch Formula E so that they can watch it on television channels in their respective homes.

"What is important for us, regardless of the visitors, can still be socialized. Watching doesn't have to come to the location, but also through TV media and so on," he said.

Furthermore, Riza admitted, when the number of spectator seats provided was reduced, automatically the income from the Formula E event through ticket sales also decreased.

Therefore, Jakpro as the organizer of Formula E will re-adjust the potential income by getting more profit value from Formula E sponsors.

"If ticket payments are reduced, so, where are the other opportunities? Maybe from sponsors. The committee must of course count the positives and negatives. I think they have been calculated. All decisions made by the committee, I think it's the best possible," said Riza.

For information, currently, the progress of paving the electric car racing circuit from zones 1 to 5 has reached 87 percent. The workers are still working on the second layer of the asphalt circuit. It is targeted that the entire construction of the circuit and other facilities will be completed in early May.

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. Finally, Formula E will officially be held in Ancol on June 4, 2022.