Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team set to debut on streets of Jakarta

The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team is heading to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta for the first time ever to contest the ninth round of the 2021/22 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

• Stoffel Vandoorne: “New city, new circuit. Jakarta is a bit of an unknown quantity for everyone, but I like discovering new tracks. It’s always exciting.”
• Nyck de Vries: “Personally, I’m very much looking forward to returning to the Asian continent. What makes it extra special is that I’ve got roots in Indonesia – it will be an exciting and special race weekend!”
• Ian James: “To help us keep our feet planted firmly on the ground, this race weekend almost comes at the perfect time. Jakarta is a new track, a new challenge for everyone; so it will be all about adaptability. We will do our best to be amongst those learning the fastest and implementing those learnings as we go”
• Further information, statistics and facts about the upcoming E-Prix can be found in the Race Facts on our media site

The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team will be entering new territory for the first time this season, as a round in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is about to be staged on a new street circuit in Jakarta for the first time ever this weekend (on Saturday 4 June 2022).

The race track in the Indonesian capital is 2.37 km long and has 18 corners. The best overtaking opportunities are likely to be in Turns 1 and 13. The Gen2 cars should reach a top speed of 220 km/h on the approach to Turn 1 and lap times are thought to be around 1:07 minutes.

The difference between 250kW and 220kW on the new circuit is expected to be 0.6 seconds. The activation zone for Attack Mode is in Turn 16 where drivers will lose 1.2 seconds when driving off the normal racing line.

The ninth round of the season in Jakarta is a one-day event with all sessions, including first practice, second practice, qualifying and the E-Prix, taking place on Saturday 4 June. The race will start at 09:04 BST.

After the eight races held so far this season, Stoffel Vandoorne is on 111 points and leads the Drivers’ Standings in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship from Venturi Racing’s Edoardo Mortara (99 points). Nyck de Vries is in sixth place on 65 points after winning the last race in Berlin. The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team on 176 points lead the Constructors’ Championship from Venturi Racing (148 points).

Comments ahead of the 2022 Jakarta E-Prix

Stoffel Vandoorne:

“New city, new circuit. Jakarta is a bit of an unknown quantity for everyone, but I like discovering new tracks. It’s always exciting. I like the challenge when you don’t know exactly what to expect. I also think that we are strong as a team in such situations. We’re well prepared, know what’s possible and now have to use that to our advantage. We had a good race last time out and the goal is of course to continue in the same vein without raising expectations too much. I have every confidence in the car and our races have been good generally speaking; so that’s the aim again this weekend, to have a good race.”

Nyck de Vries:

“I think that everyone is always on the lookout for new challenges and with Jakarta being a new race on the calendar, that brings a lot of challenges with it. Personally, I’m very much looking forward to returning to the Asian continent. Since the pandemic hit, we haven’t been back yet, so it’s great to be returning this weekend. What makes it extra special is that I’ve got roots in Indonesia – it will be an exciting and special race weekend!”

Ian James, Team Principal:

“Heading towards Jakarta with the confidence from a very successful weekend in Berlin is a great feeling. Berlin was another step in the right direction for the team – a race weekend in which we seemed to have found the pace we know we are capable of reaching. However, in racing you can’t take anything for granted and you always need to ensure you stay on top of things. Especially when you’re up against competition as fierce as we find ourselves in the Formula E World Championship.

To help us keep our feet planted firmly on the ground, this race weekend almost comes at the perfect time. Jakarta is a new track, a new challenge for everyone; so it will be all about adaptability. We will do our best to be amongst those learning the fastest and implementing those learnings as we go. Not only is the new track going to be a challenge here in Jakarta, the climate here will also play a huge part in the challenges we will face. Simply put: a unique race weekend in its own right on the 2021/22 race calendar.

It’s great to be back on the continent of Asia – and it’s going to be fascinating to take on this new track!”

Where to watch

Don’t miss any of the action this weekend, and follow the team on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Or, head here to find out how to watch all sessions live in your region.