Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird cruised to victory at the first ever Formula E Putrajaya ePrix last Saturday (Nov 22). Held on the streets of Malaysia’s administrative capital, the race was Round 2 of the inaugural Formula E series that uses identical electric powered race cars. The first race was in Beijing, China.
The Brit finished the 31-lap race ahead of Beijing winner and championship-leader Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT) and e.dams-Renault’s Sebastien Buemi, two names that Formula 1 fans will be familiar with. Both started at the back of the grid and fought well to stand on the podium.
Nicolas Prost, son of Alain, continued the strong form he showed in qualifying to finish fourth. The e.dams-Renault driver started from 11th after carrying over a 10-place grid penalty for causing an avoidable collision in Beijing. Dragon Racing’s Jerome d’Ambrosio drove from last place on the grid to come home in fifth. The Belgian qualified in the top-three only to be penalised for exceeding the maximum power usage.
Viewers didn’t have to wait long for drama. The BMW i8 safety car was deployed on the opening lap for marshalls to clean the track as the only two female drivers on the grid – Amlin Aguri’s Katherine Legge and Michela Cerruti (Trulli) – collided.
Later, Andretti’s Matthew Brabham clashed with Venturi’s Nick Heidfeld at the tight turn 10 hairpin. Brabham’s team-mate Franck Montagny was in a feisty mood as he carved his way through the field, but forced Heidfeld into the tyre barrier on the outside of turn five. The German’s stricken Venturi brought out the safety car for a second time.
Mahindra’s Bruno Senna, another ex-F1 driver, crashed heavily on the final lap in pursuit of Buemi for the final podium spot. You can check out all the action in the video below.
The next Formula E race will be in Uruguay’s Punta Del Este on December 13. The electric series will then head to the streets of Buenos Aires, Miami, Long Beach, Monte Carlo and Berlin before ending the season in London.
- Source: paultan.org
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