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Hong Kong chasing date change for 2017 Formula E race

Formula e Grand Prix of Hong Kong

HONG KONG, CHINA - OCTOBER 9: In this handout image supplied by Formula E, Nelson Piquet (BRA), NextEV NIO, Spark-NEXTEV, NEXTEV TCR Formula 002 leads the field at the start of the race during the FIA Formula E Championship Hong Kong ePrix at the Central Harbourfront Circuit on October 9, 2016 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by LAT Photographic / Formula E via Getty Images)

Formula E via Getty Images

The organizers of the Hong Kong Formula E race want a later date slot for the 2017 event after a successful inaugural running last month.

Hong Kong’s Central district hosted the opening round of Formula E’s third season on October 9, welcoming a bumper crowd that was treated to an enthralling race.

Despite the success of the race, officials from Hong Kong are looking to hold the race later in the year in 2017 while still being the season opener.

“We were greatly concerned about the weather conditions this year when we staged the event in October because of the approach of a typhoon,” Formula Electric Hong Kong Racing CEO Alan Fang told the South China Morning Post.

“Fortunately it did not affect the race but it had given us a lot of worries.

“We are now planning to start the 2017 event in late November when we discuss it with the government as we will use probably the same venue in the Central Harbourfront next year.

“The teams need probably three months to reset the car and test the new technology for the new season and therefore we may still be leading out the fourth season even if we start the event at a later date next year.

“Formula E racing is extremely happy with the Hong Kong race, which has achieved the best viewing figures of the event so far. We are confident they would give us some priorities to start the fourth season.”

Formula E’s third season will end in Montreal on July 30 2017, with the off-season break and pre-season testing period meaning that the new campaign would be unlikely to start until late October at the earliest.

Additional Asian rounds are expected to join the Formula E calendar for season four, which may feature during the traditional winter break for other championships.

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