2020 Hong Kong Formula E-Prix cancelled over protests fears: Rugby Sevens ‘fully committed to continuing’
- Founding father Lawrence Yu says he is ‘extremely sad’ that the E-Prix race is cancelled but understands the reasons why
- Hong Kong Rugby Union has already started selling stadium corporate packages for the April 3-5 tournament
The 2020 Hong Kong Formula E-Prix has been cancelled amid continuing street protests in the city, with organisers reluctantly omitting the race from the finalised 2019-20 season calendar.
A press release from the organisers on Friday listed 14 races on the 2019-20 season – and no Hong Kong. The race was scheduled for March 1 at the Central Harbourfront, with Hong Kong being part of the circuit since 2016-17. The city has staged three events, the last being on March 10, 2019.
Lawrence Yu Kam-kee, governor of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, played a key role in helping Hong Kong become part of the inaugural circuit in 2016 when he was chairman of the body.
He said Formula E and the Hong Kong government were keen to see the event continue but the social unrest plaguing Hong Kong over the past five months has forced organisers to cancel the 2020 race, though they are confident it will return in 2021.
“I am extremely sad,” said Yu. “Both FE and the Hong Kong government are willing to see the event continue but the recent social unrest put a big question mark on the possibility of starting the event in March.