Race One
Although the Shanghai International Circuit is a new addition to the Formula E race calendar for Season 10, many motorsport fans (and racing drivers) will be quite familiar with the twists and turns of the 3 kilometer circuit, despite the altered layout to the well known Grand Prix configuration. So, all in all, can we really be surprised that the first pole sitter for this debut race weekend was an ex-Formula One driver with plenty of Shanghai International Circuit experience under his belt?
DS Penke's Jean-Eric Vergne took pole at this event, marking only his second of the season. Drivers such as Vergne, as well as Stoffel Vandoorne, Pascal Wehrlein, Sebastien Buemi and Lucas di Grassi, had a slight advantage over the rest of the field, having raced at the circuit during their Formula One careers. But, come the end of the day, did the advantage mean anything? In short, no. It was Mitch Evans who took the win of the inaugural race, after a tough battle with Wehrlein that left many fans glued to their TV screens.
Despite another "pelaton" style race, Evans and Wehrlein quickly became the sole contenders to take victory, with Evans' teammate; Nick Cassidy, knocking on the door in the latter stages. But before that, it was all the about the tense battle between the Jaguar and the Porsche. The Porsche team of Wehrlein and Antonio Felix da Costa both got blistering starts, threatening Vergne for the lead off the line. But, after settling for second, Wehrlein got his chance and took the lead. However, once again, it was all about conserving energy; even Mahindra told Nyck de Vries to give up his "surprise" lead half way through proceedings. Later on, after a few bumps and nudges later, Evans and Wehrlein came through to battle for the lead, with a notable off-track overtake from Wehrlein as Evans squeezed him, ever so slightly. Neither driver wanted to give up the win, with Cassidy soon joining the fray after another impressive performance where he used his energy consumption to his advantage. Evans would take the lead on the final lap, leaving Wehrlein behind in Cassidy's grasp, giving us fans the ultimate dramatic ending to an ePrix. Evans would be the driver to cross the line in first, with Wehrlein holding on for second and Cassidy in third, ensuring fans that Jaguar's early-season troubles were far, far behind.
But what about everyone else? After all, it is Formula E. Drama is it's middle name.
After missing the Berlin race weekend, Robin Frijns, among others, made his return to the FE cockpit and began the race in style, taking four positions in only two corners, firmly planting himself in the lead and hoping to be apart of "that" lead battle. Alas, for the Dutch driver, it was not to be, getting spun around in the latter stages of the race, dropping him to a miserable 14th. And, then there was Edoardo Mortara. After an impressive pole position in Berlin, Mortara's luck firmly ran out in Shanghai, finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time as he was hit from drivers around him, ending his race prematurely, littering the track in debris in the process.
Regardless, despite zero Safety Cars, there was plenty of on-track action and it's a lovely change and sight to see Formula E race on purpose built race tracks, rather than their usual narrow street circuits.
Race Two
As we’ve seen, as recently as Race One in Shanghai, the current pelaton style of racing has been, somewhat, of a more controversial form of racing in this generation of Formula E. But, hold your horses; Race Two in Shanghai slightly veered away from this aspect, with drivers choosing to hold the lead rather than simply, give it away.
After a miserable Race One, DS Penske’s Stoffel Vandoorne found himself on the front row for Race Two, missing out on pole by a mear +0.001. A decent start saw the Season Eight Champion lead into turn one, where he stayed for the opening laps, until taking his first attack mode. Other drivers, such as Norman Nato and eventual race winner - Antonio Felix da Costa, also used this method to ensure decent results come the chequered flag.
For Vandoorne, the negative consequences of holding the lead soon caught up with him, with his available energy dwindling in the latter stages. For DS Penske, energy conservation seems to be one thing the team is currently lacking, with both Vandoorne and Jean-Eric Vergne finishing the race with very minimal. Is this something the team needs to focus more on to ensure decent results? They have the speed, with both Vergne and Vandoorne starting on the front row in Race One and Two respectively, before going away with a double points finish.
Race Two, in general, was faster paced when compared to Race One. Lap times were faster and the race was shorter, regardless, we weren’t left short when it came to action. Front wing damage and punctures were on the cards for several drivers over the course of the 28 lap race, including championship contender Wehrlein, who’s pit stop, after a rear left puncture, could prove to be a pivotal moment in the championship fight between himself and Nick Cassidy. As for Cassidy, he wasn’t immune from damage either. With, what seemed to be a disagreement over strategy with his team in the early stages of the race, front wing damage was waiting for the Kiwi driver later on in the race, which could have potentially cost him that podium finish.
But, for da Costa, it was a comfortable ride to the line, despite McLaren’s Hughes closing in over the final laps, setting up a battle for the lead that never had chance to materialise. Norman Nato would finish in 3rd place in his Andretti, seeing off Cassidy for the final step on the podium.
Shanghai and it’s International Circuit has proved to be an interesting addition to the Formula E calendar, especially as the track is purposed built rather temporary, the norm for Formula E. And, next time out, we’ll be on yet another purpose built race circuit at the Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon, which also is the penultimate race of the season. It’s going to be a good one.
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