Formula E: Records broken in classic Berlin E-Prix double-header
The Berlin E-Prix double-header produced two epic races which saw an incredible 362 overtakes across 83 laps.
Round 7
Mitch Evans led a home a first one-two-three for Jaguar TCS Racing in Round 7, with the Kiwi securing his second win of the season in as many races.
Evans finished just ahead of his teammate, Sam Bird, who had also secured his own back-to-back podiums.
The opening race of the Berlin weekend will be remembered as one of the best (and most chaotic) races in Formula E history, with 190 overtakes and a record 20 at-the-line lead changes, as well as a record eight different race leaders.
As positions chopped and changed throughout the race, it was Max Gunther who eventually secured third place and a first podium in Formula E for Maserati MSG Racing.
Envision’s Seb Buemi had secured pole earlier in the day but the Swiss driver was unable to capitalize on his starting position and had to settle for fourth, as he was pipped to the podium places at the death.
Buemi finished ahead of his teammate Nick Cassidy, with standings leader Pascal Werhlein of Porsche coming in sixth. DS Penske’s Jean-Éric Vergne came in seventh, ahead of Avalanche Andretti’s André Lotterer. Maserati’s Edoardo Mortara managed to secure ninth place, with Mahindra’s Oliver Rowland rounding off the top ten.
Speaking after the race, Mitch Evans, said: “It’s an incredible feeling to get back-to-back wins, particularly in Formula E where it’s so challenging. I needed a couple of good races and this is exactly what the team delivered today in Berlin. There is still a long way to go this season but the main thing is we’re back in the hunt. Both Sam and I are up there in the fight and we need to keep building on what we’ve achieved so far.”
Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing driver, added: “We’ve made history again today. It’s the best result Jaguar TCS Racing have ever achieved and it’s huge credit to all of the amazing people that work in this team. I feel like we’ve been working towards this for a while now but to get back-to-back double podiums feels incredible. We have a competitive package and it was very well executed by the team. We hope to fight for more points and podiums again tomorrow.”
Round 8
Envision’s Nick Cassidy put himself right in the mix for the Drivers’ Championship with a thrilling drive which saw the Kiwi jump from eighth to secure his first win of the season.
The second race of the Berlin E-Prix double-header was just as frantic as the first, with Cassidy able to navigate a tight pack and fight his way to the front of the grid to leave him just a few points off the top of the drivers’ standings.
Another 172 overtakes saw positions change frequently throughout the race, but Cassidy and Envision’s strategy paid off, managing pace and energy to eventually take the lead on lap 25. Once in position, Cassidy handled the pressure excellently to claim his first win of Season 9.
The conditions proved challenging on the Sunday as the Gen3 Formula E cars were subjected to rain for the very first time, adding to the drama of what was another classic Formula E showing.
Cassidy’s biggest challenger was Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis, who was just half a second behind Cassidy as they crossed the chequered flag. Dennis would have been disappointed to have come so close to the win, but the Brit will be pleased to have ended a three-race scoring drought.
DS Penske’s Jean-Éric Vergne continued his record of scoring points in every round so far, and this time he had a place on the podium to show for it, as he finished just behind Dennis in third.
Jaguar’s Mitch Evans was unable to make it two podiums from two, with the Kiwi having to settle for fourth. Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa came in at fifth, ahead of Maserati’s Max Gunther who enjoyed a tremendous weekend in his home race, picking up the fastest lap in the process.
Standings leader Pascal Werhlein of Porsche picked up some valuable points with his seventh place finish, keeping him just three points ahead of Nick Cassidy at the top of the leaderboard.
DS Penske’s Stoffel Vandoorne, ABT Cupra’s Nico Müller and NIO 333’s Dan Ticktum finished off the point scoring positions for the second round of the Berlin E-Prix double-header.
Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing, said: “I knew I was in the fight. I’ve been in the fight the last five races. Yesterday, we had a great opportunity as well and I made a mistake and I really put my hand up for that. But today we made it count. So, thanks so much to my guys. I’ve had an opportunity to win nearly every weekend and as a driver that’s a dream.
“I’ve had some really good luck and I’m sure some bad luck and bad weekends are coming our way, but until then I’m enjoying the ride – it’s been amazing.”
