View-blocking barriers necessary for safety say Formula E chiefs – and HK$50m loss ‘irrelevant’
Organisers dismiss criticism from some sectors of the public and insist they want to stay in the city for years to come despite projected loss
Formula E chiefs dismissed Hong Kong residents’ gripes about barriers around Central which block the public’s view of the race – and insisted they want to be in the city for years to come despite expecting heavy financial losses for the inaugural ePrix.
Screens on streets and walkways around the Central Harbourfront circuit have been erected, preventing a free view of the all-electric racing, drawing criticism from some quarters.
Alejandro Agag, chief executive of Formula E, said it was a simple matter of safety.
“It’s pretty obvious you cannot get the barriers open because you cannot control the cars so it’s a very obvious question of safety,” he said on Sunday.
Watch: Hong Kong’s first Formula E race brings excitement to the city
The event is set to lose up to HK$50 million in its first year, but Agag said that was not an issue.