Sébastien Buemi converted his pole position in a sensational victory in Monaco ePrix this afternoon. Lucas Di Grassi and Nelson Piquet completed Montecarlo podium.
Sébastien Buemi is since today the first driver ever in Formula E to repeat a win in the category. After maintaining lead in start, Swiss driver was able to defend his position with an extraordinary driving and a good Pit-Stop, which allowed him to climb to the most glamorous podium in motorsports as the first ever winner for the Formula E Monaco ePrix.
The start of the race was messy after a pile up in the straight downhill after Sainta Devota. Jaime Alguersuari crashed in the start with the car in front of and had to retire. After passing the first turn, a pile up formed with many drivers involved, especially Bruno Senna, who leaped over the car he had in front. The Brazilian was able to leave the car without any injury. Other drivers were able to recover after a Safety Car period.
When race was restarted Piquet overtook Jerôme d’Ambrosio for the third position in a really good move that ensured his podium. So did Da Costa to Speed, who had his car damaged after the crash, two laps after. Di Grassi was yet behind Buemi but unable to go for the overtake as all drivers complained about the blue flags.
Pitstops condensed in three laps, with Di Grassi stopping in Lap 24, D’Ambrosio in 25 and Buemi and Piquet in 26. Di Grassi almost overtakes Buemi while he was leaving the pitlane, but Swiss driver maintained the lead with a good move. Di Grassi went for the overtake again but in three laps he lost the e.Dams for all race long. Pic, who won two positions after pits, was fourth and maintained the position until the end.
Meanwhile, Piquet went for the overtake to Di Grassi perhaps thinking about what happened this morning in qualifying. Despite the hunger for taking the position, the Brazilian was unable to and he finished in the lowest place of the podium.
Next race is next 23rd May in Berlin, Germany.
Provisional results:
Pos. | Car | Driver | Team | Gap | Diff | |
1 | 9 | Sébastien Buemi | CHE | e.dams-Renault | After 47 Laps | |
2 | 11 | Lucas di Grassi | BRA | Audi Sport ABT | + 2,154 | + 2,154 |
3 | 99 | Nelson Piquet | BRA | NEXTEV TCR | + 4,634 | + 2,480 |
4 | 2 | Sam Bird | GBR | Virgin Racing | + 4,801 | + 0,167 |
5 | 7 | Jerome d’Ambrosio | BEL | Dragon Racing | + 5,881 | + 1,080 |
6 | 8 | Nicolas Prost | FRA | e.dams-Renault | + 11,032 | + 5,151 |
7 | 30 | Stephane Sarrazin | FRA | Venturi | + 26,472 | + 15,440 |
8 | 28 | Scott Speed | USA | Andretti | + 41,138 | + 14,666 |
9 | 88 | Charles Pic | FRA | NEXTEV TCR | + 49,538 | + 8,400 |
10 | 55 | Antonio Felix da Costa | POR | Amlin Aguri | + 52,658 | + 3,120 |
11 | 23 | Nick Heidfeld | GER | Venturi | + 52,936 | + 0,278 |
12 | 10 | Jarno Trulli | ITA | Trulli | + 58,984 | + 6,048 |
13 | 5 | Karun Chandhok | IND | Mahindra Racing | + 1 Lap | – |
DNF | 18 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | ITA | Trulli | + 11 Laps | – |
DNF | 27 | Jean-Eric Vergne | FRA | Andretti | + 14 Laps | – |
DNF | 77 | Salvador Duran | MEX | Amlin Aguri | + 19 Laps | – |
DNF | 6 | Loic Duval | FRA | Dragon Racing | + 23 Laps | – |
DNF | 66 | Daniel Abt | GER | Audi Sport ABT | + 33 Laps | – |
NC | 21 | Bruno Senna | BRA | Mahindra Racing | + 47 Laps | – |
NC | 3 | Jaime Alguersuari | ESP | Virgin Racing | + 47 Laps | – |