Announcing the ABB FIA Formula E Seoul E-Prix in 2020
Posted on 02/07/2019 by ABB
ABB's YuMi, the world's first truly collaborative dual arm robot, waved the checkered flags at the unveiling of the Gen2 at a media conference in Seoul. In 2020, an E-Prix of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship will take place for the first time in South Korea's capital city.
About 10 million people live in the capital in South Korea, which has ambitious renewal energy initiatives, the world's first 5G service and is ranked N° 1 in the 2018 Automation Readiness Index. Sweeseng Lee, President, ABB South Korea, explained that ABB is the proud title sponsor of the Championship since 2018, to create a future of sustainable transportation, reducing global emissions and increase public awareness about how e-mobility and digitalization are helping to improve quality of life in cities.
In the featured image above, from left to right: Alberto Longo, Deputy CEO and Chief Championship Officer, Formula E; Hee-Beom Lee, President, 2020 Seoul E-Prix Operation Committee; Sweeseng Lee, President, ABB South Korea; Alejandro Agag, CEO and Founder, Formula E., who were also present on the occasion. Below is the video from the media conference:
Revealed: 2020 Seoul E-Prix circuit
Following the launch of the new calendar for the 2019/20 season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, plans for the new circuit in Seoul are revealed by Formula E Founder and CEO Alejandro Agag, 2020 Seoul E-Prix Racing Event Management Chairman Hee-Beom Lee and ABB Korea President Sweeseng Lee.
Revealed for the first time at a launch event in the city, the 2.8km, 19-turn circuit will see all 24 cars and drivers race in the heart of the South Korean capital on May 3, 2020. Wrapping around the city's Olympic Park, the bespoke city street circuit will take in some of Seoul's best-known sights, with seven turns housed inside the Jamsil Sports Complex and former Olympic stadium (pending FIA homologation).
"I'm so excited to be coming to Korea and the streets of Seoul for the first time with the ABB FIA Formula E Championship next season," said the series' founder Alejandro Agag. "Seoul is such a vibrant and versatile city with sporting heritage and experience in hosting international events. Formula E will be showcasing speed and performance at the former Olympic venue, using a unique track with a spectacular stadium section."
Covering 11 countries and four continents, the 2019/20 season of Formula E promises to be the most exciting yet, as 12 of the greatest electric manufacturers and teams go head to head on the streets of the world's most progressive cities. Racing to reduce air pollution in cities, Formula E is leading the way in the development and adoption of cleaner, all-electric urban mobility.
"In addition to aiming the Formula E event in Korea by introducing eco-friendly automotive technology through a futuristic competition, this year's event will also contribute the development of the domestic automotive industry by minimising environmental damage such as air pollution, and position the championship as the next-generation racing event," said Hee-Beom Lee, Chairman of Seoul E-Prix 2020 Racing Event Management.
Heading to South Korea for the first time in the series' history, the Seoul spectacle will be the first all-electric international, single seater race to be hosted in the city. "I am very happy that ABB Formula E Championship will be held in the city of Seoul for the first time and the current partnership supports the background of ABB's vision for sustainable future," said Sweeseng Lee, President of ABB Korea.
With just two rounds of the current 2018/19 season left, taking place in New York City on July 13 and 14, soon the countdown to a new chapter of the Championship will begin.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader with a comprehensive offering for digital industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB is today a leader in digital industries with four customer-focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by its common ABB AbilityTM digital platform. ABB's market leading Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees.