Jaguar earned its first Formula E 1-2 in Berlin, as it managed to escape unscathed in a race full of jeopardy.
With both their drivers starting in the top ten and Bird in the front row, a simple look at the classifications might lead some to think that the race was uneventful.
But the eight race leaders and 23 lead changes across the 43 laps around Templehof broke both Formula E records.
NIO 333’s Dan Ticktum took the lead into turn one on the opening lap of the race, taking three places from fourth. While all the cars got through the opening lap cleanly, the carnage would follow as the field stayed bunched together.
Both Sebastian Buemi and Ticktum opted to take their attack modes early. With the tow being effective around the track, no driver wanted to lead the race for too long, opting to save energy behind other cars.
The first safety car was deployed due to two incidents involving Sergio Sette Camara. The Brazillian driver lost his front wing in a collision as he sent it inside Max Gunther. He then collided with Rene Rast, forcing out a safety car for the cleanup.
Jake Dennis got the race underway after three laps under the safety car, with the safety car slightly spreading the field out as they kept close under the green to use the tow.
After climbing ten positions, Edoardo Mortara momentarily led the race on lap 17, saving up his attack modes until later in the race on an alternate strategy to those in front.
The second safety car came out midway through the race as Ticktum collided with Vandoorne after being squashed in the pack and ending both their races. He lost his wing earlier on the lap in a collision with another driver.
When the race restarted, it allowed Jaguar to cement their position at the front with the two works drivers and their customer driver Buemi working together to extend a lead and protect their energy.
Jake Dennis had worked hard in his Andretti to keep it clean and retain his championship fight; the Briton has not scored points since January. However, his day ended with brake troubles sending him into the wall, clipping Porsche’s Antonio Felix Da Costa in the process and breaking his suspension.
The two Jaguars and Buemi continued to switch the lead, with the British teams deploying as many team tactics as possible to retain their positions.
After a more positive day in Berlin, Maximillian Gunther took the third spot on the podium in his first points of the year. It was almost certainly Buemi’s place on the third step before his energy ran out and Gunther was able to clinch the place off of him.
Customer team Envision still had much to celebrate, with their drivers coming fourth and fifth.
Racing action continues in the doubleheader tomorrow, with the race kicking off at 15:03 local time.
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