Formula E is back for it's 11th Season, getting well underway around the streets of São Paulo with a dramatic, red flag filled race that would keep viewers gripping the edge of their seats from start to finish. Reigning World Champion; Pascal Wehrlein, would be starting on pole ahead of Nissan's Oliver Rowland. Mitch Evans, in his Jaguar, would bring up the rear in what was a disappointing qualifying for last season's championship contender. This eprix would also mark the return of Taylor Barnard in the McLaren, as well as the debut races for rookies Zane Maloney and David Beckmann who are driving for Lola Yamaha ABT and Kiro Race Co respectively.
The beginning of the season would be met with a delayed start after Robin Frijns would have technical problems with his Envision Racing car on the grid, leading him to be wheeled off back into the pit lane so the remainder of the field could finally get underway. And, with all five red lights disappearing from the view of the grid, Season 11 finally was a go!
Heading down into Turn 1, Rowland would take the lead away from Wehrlein after a blistering start. DS Penske's Jean-Eric Vergne was also flying along nicely, making up plenty of places. However, the one to watch was Evans who, after starting in last position, was already teetering on the edges of the top ten in 12th. But all this would quickly come to a pause with Jake Hughes and Nico Mueller colliding in a racing incident that would ultimately bring out the Safety Car for several laps while the stricken Maserati and Andretti cars were cleared. Replays would confirm that the cause of the incident was due a concertina effect from multiple cars making contact ahead. No one would be penalised and the race would quickly get back under way.
A few laps into the restart, our first of the "new and improved" attack modes were activated with Nick Cassidy and Stoffel Vandoorne being the ones to take the plunge. This race proved that attack mode was now a more powerful tool in aiding drivers to fly through the field, making up several places. As shown by Cassidy, who found himself leading the race by lap eight. Vandoorne, on the other hand, despite using more power than his competitors, reached a high of third position. Attack mode would also work wonders for Season 11's rookies, including that of Maloney who momentarily featured in the top ten. By race end, however, it would be the Jaguars of Evans and Cassidy, and the McLarens of Barnard and Sam Bird whose races had completely turned in the right direction thanks to the improvements of the ever so effective attack mode.
For others, the race didn't go as to what would have been the plan. There were drive through penalties for Norman Nato, Rowland and Maloney, as well as the McLaren duo, who took the penalties before finishing in a fantastic 3rd and 4th. All five of these drivers were caught with an overpower usage. There were also multiple DNFs. Lucas di Grassi would stop on track before making it back to the pits. Whereas, Season 9 Champion; Jake Dennis, would also come to a halt on the run off, causing a red flag in the process that would hinder several drivers who had just activated attack mode. A further red flag would appear after a big crash between Cassidy and Wehrlein that would leave the latter upside down but ok after a check at the medical centre.
With only a handful of laps to go, the top ten was looking tight, specifically the fight for the win between Evans, Antonio Felix da Costa, Barnard and Bird. Ultimately, it would be Evans who would cross the line only millimeters ahead of the following pack. da Costa would come home 2nd, Barnard in 3rd, with the top three all coming away with stand out performances. But, for Evans in particular, from starting in last position to finishing first, he is sure to be a shoe in as a Season 11 championship contender.
Despite being only one race into this new season, it's fair to say that we are in for some fun, exciting and fantastic wheel to wheel racing over the next few months. I for one, cannot wait!
Next up: Mexico City!
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