Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Seoul E-Prix thrills racing fans in Korea
Stoffel Vandoorne of Mercedes-EQ, center, celebrates on the podium as he became the champion of the Formula E's 2021/2022 season after finishing second at the Seoul E-Prix at the Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul, Sunday. Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing, left, ranked second and Edoardo Mortara of ROKiT Venturi Racing ranked third. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Baek Byung-yeul
Nation's 1st electric car race ends with cheers and new fans
By Baek Byung-yeul
The Seoul E-Prix, the first electric vehicle (EV) race held in Korea, successfully completed its inaugural event Sunday at the Jamsil Sports Complex, a historic venue where the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics were held.
It was uncomfortable to breathe in the hot and humid weather, but the Jamsil Sports Complex was crowded with spectators who wanted to watch the nation's first EV race. In particular, there were many family visitors who came with young children.
The organizers said the two-day event garnered a total of 49,500 visitors. As the track became slippery due to a sudden downpour, an accident occurred during the race, but spectators cheered on the drivers and enjoyed the race, which saw contenders race through a forest of high-rise apartment buildings in southern Seoul at a top speed of 280 kilometers per hour.
Electric-powered racing cars compete during the Seoul E-Prix racing competition on a road near the Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
There was no loud internal combustion engine noise, but the friction between the tires and the track and the unique motor sound from the EVs was enough to excite the visitors. Twenty-two racing cars with less noise and pollution raced the 2,760-meter track inside the main stadium and nearby roads.
The Seoul E-Prix gathered the eyes of the world's racing fans as it was the final competition to confirm the winner of the 2021/2022 season. The Seoul event was also meaningful as the Saturday and the Sunday races were the 99th and the 100th races of the Formula E, which began back in 2014.
Two drivers from 11 teams ― including Jaguar TCS Racing, Mercedes-EQ, Tag Heuer Porsche, Nissan e.Dams, Avalanche Andretti Motorsport, Penske Autosport, DS Techeetah Automobiles, Envision Racing, Mahindra Racing, NIO 333 and ROKiT Venturi Racing ― took part in the Seoul E-Prix.
After completing the qualifying session, Saturday's event began at around 4 p.m., but the race was soon suspended, as eight vehicles collided or hit a safety wall at the last corner due to slippery track conditions.
The race continued after about 30 minutes. As the track dried up, drivers were able to increase the speed of their machines, and Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing took his fourth win of the season. The New Zealand racer was followed by Oliver Rowland of Mahindra Racing and Lucas di Grassi of ROKiT Venturi Racing.
Stoffel Vandoorne of Mercedes-EQ races during the Seoul E-Prix racing competition at the Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
For the season's final race on Sunday, Edoardo Mortara of ROKiT Venturi Racing secured the winning trophy, followed by Mercedes-EQ team's Stoffel Vandoorne and Avalanche Andretti Motorsport's Jake Dennis. There were 16 races in total this year.
But Vandoorne became the final winner of the entire 2021/2022 season, adding 18 points from Sunday's round to 213 points, beating Evans, who scored only six points in the final round.
The Seoul competition was the last event that drivers used the Gen2 race car as the Formula E will use the next-generation Gen3 race car and tires from Korean tire maker Hankook Tire & Technology from the next season.
The audience filled the main stadium and visitors watched the race around the track, which looked unfamiliar. However, fans exclaimed whenever racing cars passed by.
For both those who have studied the rules of the Formula E race and those who are new to such races, an announcer and a commentator inside the stadium explained how the race was progressing to assist the spectators.
“To Koreans, car racing is unfamiliar. However, I came to see the race with my family because of the convenient accessibility,” a father of two children said. “Though the weather is too hot, I feel good seeing that my kids are enjoying the race.”
A spokesperson for Formula E Korea said he was “happy that the world famous auto race competition was successfully completed in Seoul.”
"As interest in electric cars increases not only domestically but also globally, and interest in the environment to create a sustainable future, we ask for a lot of support and attention so that the Formula E Championship and Seoul E-Prix can be enjoyed as an environment-friendly global sports event,” the official added.