As a series that races through city centres on narrow purpose-built tracks using public roads in comparatively confined spaces, Formula E is unlike other motor sport disciplines. To avoid major disruption or unnecessary delays, rapid recoveries to remove stranded vehicles are essential, as is a close and effective working relationship between championship Race Director Scot Elkins and the local Clerk of the Course.

It is the latter that is responsible for directing the circuit marshals, who – in Jakarta and Seoul – underwent a series of specific training sessions in advance of the race weekends to ensure they were ready and prepared to fulfil their vital roles and respond to all incidents as required. This training – both theoretical and practical – was complemented by a pre-event ‘simulation’, with support in Indonesia from ACI Vallelunga S.p.A.’s Dino Lodola, who oversees the prestigious Rome E-Prix.

In both nations, the scale of the challenge could not be overestimated. The inaugural Jakarta E-Prix was the first FIA-sanctioned motorsport event to be held in Indonesia since 2006. Similarly, the season-ending Seoul E-Prix double-header was the first FIA World Championship event to be staged in South Korea in almost a decade.

Following months of assiduous preparation that resulted in three safe, successful and entertaining Formula E races, Jakarta and Seoul’s deserved return to the Formula E calendar for Season 9 in 2022/23 is testament to a job well done.

“Like most large-scale events, there were many difficulties in the preparation process for the Seoul E-Prix, but KARA put all its capabilities into it,” read a statement from the Korea Automobile Racing Association. “Due to the uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, we began preparing for the operation of the event later than originally planned, and most of our officials and marshals had not had experience with street circuits since 2003.

“By collaborating with talented leaders in various fields like the FIA’s Frédéric Bertrand, Scot Elkins and Javier Maffioli, KARA tried to use the Seoul E-Prix to train Korean officials and marshals up to the global standard. We are grateful to the FIA and Formula E Operations for this amazing opportunity to enhance Korea’s motorsport operational capabilities.”