DS Virgin Racing driver, Sam Bird has taken the win in the first ever FIA Formula E ePrix in Rome. The Briton finished just ahead of Lucas Di Grassi, who complete an amazing race. André Lotterer completes podium positions while pole sitter, Felix Rosenqvist has retired after a crash when he was leading.
It was a clean start of the race, Felix Rosenqvist (Mahindra Racing) kept the lead ahead of Sam Bird (DS Virgin Racing) followed by Mitch Evans (Panasonic Jaguar Racing), André Lotterer (Techeetah) and Oliver Turvey (NIO). Meanwhile, championship leader, Jean-Eric Vergne (Techetaah) was running ninth.
Rosenqvist was comfortably leading the race and all look good into his favor to take the win until lap 17th.
Everything has change on lap 17 because of a crash which several drivers (Turvey, Heidfeld, Filippi and Mortara) were involved and caused the virtual safety car period, that was used for the drivers to make the car change.
This situation was helpful for Bird who cut the gap with Rosenqvist after car change. Sébastien Buemi (Renault e.Dams) was the other guy who makes a lot of improvements thanks to VSC. Swiss driver went from fifth to third, overtaking Evans and Lotterer.
At the re-start of the race, Bird put Rosenqvist under pressure while Di Grassi and Evans were stepping up positions.
With 10 laps remaining, Rosenqvist hit the wall and had to retire, which allowed Sam Bird to take the lead of the race and cross the checker flag in first position.
But he had to suffer the pressure of Lucas Di Grassi who after Rosenqvist retirement, was able to overtake Buemi, and Evans. Kiwi driver lost third position with André Lotterer at the end of the race.