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Rosenqvist takes intelligent win in Marrakesh

2017/2018 FIA Formula E Championship. Round 3 - Marrakesh ePrix. Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan, Marrakesh, Morocco. Friday 12 January 2018. Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Mahindra Racing, Mahindra M4Electro. Photo: Sam Bagnall/LAT/Formula E ref: Digital Image SB1_3628

Felix Rosenqvist has taken his second victory of the season in ABB FIA Formula E championship at Marrakesh ePrix. The Swede beat Sébastien Buemi who dominated the whole race to finish second. Sam Bird completes the podium.

It was Sébastien Buemi (Renault e.dams) who started from pole position for the first time this season. The Swiss driver maintained the top spot at the start of the race ahead of Sam Bird (DS Virgin) and Felix Rosenqvist (Mahindra Racing).

Meanwhile battling for 6th position another poor day started for ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport team, who saw how Daniel Abt was penalized because of a crash with Alex Lynn (DS Virgin), and later on lap 7 saw how reigning champion, Lucas Di Grassi was out of the race due to technical issues when he was running in fourth position. A bad day for the German squad who have got the Fan Boost for both of their drivers.

In trouble, also was André Lotterer (Techetaah) who had to retire for technical issues, and thus cause a full-course-yellow (FCY), which was used by drivers to made the mandatory car change.

But before the pit stops movement, Rosenqvist was up to second place thanks to gearbox problems from Sam Bird. The Swede, whit 4 laps to go managed to take the lead of the race, and take his second win of the season and step up to the lead of drivers’ championship.

It was Nelson Piquet (Panasonic Jaguar Racing) who finished fourth after a great performance in a race without troubles. The Season 1 champion managed to set the fastest lap of the race and get those extra value points at home.

Behind the Brazilian Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) finished fifth, ahead of Argentinian Jose Maria López (Dragon) who is back in the series replacing Neel Jani; he managed to score the first points of the season for his new team.

Maro Engel with a seventh-place finish has shown the very competitive car that now is Venturi. Also, strong performance by Nick Heidfeld (Mahindra Racing) who started on 18th place after crashing into the wall during qualifying.

First-race-ever for British, Tom Blomqvist (Andretti Autosport) who scored his first points of the season finish ninth. Stellar come-back by Nicolas Prost (Renault e.dams) who spun off in the early laps due to a contact with Lotterer.

Another great and fun race was the one who Edoardo Mortara (Venturi Racing) had. The Swiss driver started last but he managed to make such a great overtakes to run in 9th position after pit stop sequence. But with 3 laps to go, he tried to overtake Heidfeld when he was trying to do so with Engel, that manoeuvre cost him the retirement of the race. But he has shown his real capacity to become a title contender.

As we mention, Rosenqvist is in the lead of the standings before Santiago de Chile race. Mahindra driver leads by 4 points over Bird, while Vergne is third 11 points behind. Impressive consistency by Piquet who is fourth with a 29 points deficit. Not the same for his compatriot Lucas Di Grassi, who has yet to score a point.

Mahindra Racing leaves Morroco with the lead in team’s championship with 18 points more than DS Virgin.

Race Results:

Pos. Driver Team Gap
1 Felix Rosenqvist Mahindra Formula E 33 Laps
2 Sébastien Buemi e.Dams Renault +0.945
3 Sam Bird DS Virgin Racing +5.762
4 Nelson Piquet Jr. Jaguar +6.554
5 Jean-Éric Vergne Techeetah +12.238
6 José María López Dragon Racing +16.491
7 Maro Engel Venturi Formula E Team +26.915
8 Nick Heidfeld Mahindra Formula E +28.381
9 Tom Blomqvist Andretti Formula E +32.380
10 Nico Prost e.Dams Renault +33.099
11 Alex Lynn DS Virgin Racing +33.520
12 Daniel Abt Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler +40.951
13 Mitch Evans Jaguar +46.278
14 Antonio Félix Da Costa Andretti Formula E +56.116
15 Jerome D’Ambrosio Dragon Racing +1:13.805
16 Luca Filippi NIO Formula E Team 1 Lap
17 Edoardo Mortara Venturi Formula E Team Out
18 Oliver Turvey NIO Formula E Team Out
19 André Lotterer Techeetah Out
20 Lucas Di Grassi Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler Out