Nyck de Vries won the first race of the Formula E 2022 season in dominant style for the Mercedes EQ team, as his teammate and pole sitter Stoffel Vandoorne came home in second.
Vandoorne had led off the line and continued to ,lead after a safety car to recover Oliver Rowland’s car, who had crashed after making contact with Robin Frijns’s Envision. But the Belgian driver missed the Attack Mode sensors and lost time, having to make another attempt. Although he was successful the second time, de Vries jumped him and held the lead until the end.
Jake Dennis finished third for the Andretti team, after starting second but losing second to de Vries off the line, who started third. The Briton had a battle with Andre Lotterer, but managed to pass the German as he dropped down the order after having to save energy after the half way mark.
Sam Bird did well to move from sixth on the grid to fourth by the chequered flag. Lucas Di Grassi did even better, going from eighth to fifth in his first race for his new Venturi team. His teammate Edo Mortara camec in just behind him, overtaking Nick Cassidy on the last lap after the Kiwi had to save energy to make the finish.
Jean-Eric Vergne went from 13th to eighth in an impressive showing by the Frenchman. Oliver Askew, making his debut in Formula E for the Andretti squad, finished an excellent ninth. Mitch Evans rounded out the top 10 after losing ninth to Askew in the final few minutes.
Pascal Wehrlein finished 11th, with Maximillian Gunther 12th. Andre Lotterer started fourth but dropped through the field after he had to conserve energy, eventually crossing the line in 13th. Alexander Sims made progress from 18th on the grid, finishing 14th.
Sergio Sette Camara came home 15th, while Robin Frijns was 16th, getting handed a drive through after contact with Rowland.
Sebastien Buemi finished 17th, with rookie Dan Ticktum in 18th, beating his teammate Oliver Turvey, who came 19th. Antonio Giovinazzi finished 20th and last for Dragon Penske.
The second Diriyah ePrix of the season will take place tomorrow, Saturday 29th January, at 5pm GMT.
[motorsport_result id=’80372′]
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