Please, please tell me you watched that race? If you didn't, what are you waiting for?!?!
After a couple of, let's say "mediocre" Formula E races, the series returned, after a short break, with a bang. And, in usual FE fashion, no one could've predicted the nail-biting, yet fabulous, ending we were treated to. From start to finish, it was a task trying to keep up with who was where and what was what, and that just adds to all the fun.
Qualifying brought a glimmer of hope to DS Penske's 2024, after the first handful of races failed to shape up as to what they were expecting. Well, bar Jean-Eric Vergne's 2nd place finish in Diriyah, that is. The duo of Stoffel Vandoorne and Vergne found themselves starting 2nd and 3rd for the race. However, their fate was sealed (when I, a VER/VAN fan, who jinxes them, tuned in to watch) when a second Safety Car was thrown out, while both drivers were in attack mode. An unfortunate race for the American team saw Vergne finish in 7th and Vandoorne in 8th. Can DS Penske turn it around in time for Tokyo?
And, the DS Penske boys weren't the only ones having the "best" time. There was Max Günther and his crazy 40 place grid penalty followed by a 10 second stop/go. I don't think I've a seen a stop/go penalty for a while in motorsport, thank you FE for giving us a blast from the past. However, despite this, it was actually an impressive drive by Günther who managed to recover to 9th and into the points. Another driver having the time of his life was Nico Müller, who found himself involved in several on track tussles, eventually loosing his front wing and falling to the back of the pack. And, what about the likes of Nyck de Vries? His return to the series has been... well. I'm sure that once he finds his footing, we'll see reminiscences of the 2020-2021 Champion. We just need to remember, he's in a Mahindra.
This race has, so far, had the most Safety Cars in 2024. Two, to be exact. The first for the mountains of car parts littered across the track. How nobody retired during the first half of the race is incredible to me. And, second, for more debris, left behind by the bashed and bruised Jaguar of Nick Cassidy, who became a passenger when his front wing took a trip under his car. A heartbreaking moment for the Kiwi driver who, at the time, was involved in the battle for the lead/podium. A battle so heated, eventually it was going to end in tears, as well as the end of Cassidy's streak of wins/podiums.
Talking of the lead battle that involved, near enough, everyone; it was very evident that once again no one wanted to lead the race during the early stages. And, I can't decide if this is a good or bad thing for Formula E. It's good because it sets up some crazy battles, but bad because we're not necessarily getting that fight for the lead. It's more of a fight for second, or a fight for third. And, then I get lost as to who is where and confused as to how someone in 10th is suddenly leading. It's mad, but it's Formula E all over. And, this set up, plus three extra laps, gave us an ending that will go down in FE history.
The last few laps were all about Mitch Evans, Sam Bird, Jake Dennis and Pascal Wehrlein - Jaguar v McLaren v Andretti v Porsche. Some big names vying for the top spot. However, with Dennis and Wehrlein dropping back and soon out of the picture, it became the Evans v Bird show on the final corner, on the final lap, where Bird made a gutsy move for the lead, and made it stick, reaching the chequered flag less than half a second ahead of his ex-teammate. There is no better word to describe that last lap than"thriller." It was nail biting and exciting. Everything that motorsport should be. And, neither did it end there. Further back, while Dennis and Wehrlein were squabbling for the final podium spot, Oliver Rowland came out of nowhere, stealing it from the pair ahead. How? Where? God, I love Formula E.
This is one race that I could happily talk about for the rest of my days. And, it's surprising that so many people still disregard Formula E, declaring it nothing more than a "borefest." Well, my friends, just watch this race and your minds may just change.
Oh, and just so you are aware, Sergio Sette Camara found himself disqualified from this race for using more energy than allowed. Kind of heartbreaking at your home race, but rules are rules.
Next up is Tokyo on 30th March. See you then!
Loved watching the race and the battle for the top 3 steps of the podium was amazing