Formula E

Defending Champion de Vries Returns to Winning Ways in Second Berlin E-Prix

2 Mins read
Credit: LAT Images/FIA Formula E

Nyck de Vries got the jump on polesitter Edoardo Mortara at the start of race two of the Berlin E-Prix on Sunday, with the Dutchman then controlling the race thereafter.

The defending ABB FIA Formula E World Championship drivers’ champion, racing for the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team, started third at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit but was robust in overtaking Mortara into turn one, a move that ultimately proved decisive.

It was a stunning day for Mercedes, with its power unit supplying the top four finishes, with de Vries being followed home by ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Mortara, with their respective team-mates Stoffel Vandoorne and Lucas di Grassi third and fourth.

Only once did de Vries lose the lead after his terrific start, with the Dutchman losing out briefly to Mortara when he activated his attack mode early in the race.  However, with the additional power at his disposal, he was quickly back ahead of the Swiss racer and maintained his position thereafter until the chequered flag.

Mortara attempted a different strategy with his attack mode, using it much later in the day, but he was too far behind de Vries when he had the additional power, and he was forced to settle for second place.

Indeed, activating his attack mode saw him drop from second down to fifth, and he was forced to use the power to regain his position on track rather than close the gap and pass de Vries for the lead.

Vandoorne put in another strong drive to clinch the final spot on the podium, the Belgian having started eighth before climbing up the order as he battled Robin Frijns, André Lotterer and António Félix da Costa for a place in the top four before passing di Grassi for third late in the day.

Frijns survived an investigation after making contact with Félix da Costa to finish as best of the rest in fifth for Envision Racing, just ahead of the DS Techeetah driver, with both passing Mahindra Racing’s Oliver Rowland as the Briton was forced to conserve more energy than his rivals.

Rowland did manage to hold off Tag Heuer Porsche FE Team’s Lotterer to finish seventh, while DS Techeetah’s Jean-Éric Vergne endured a tough day in ninth, just ahead of Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans.

Sam Bird missed out on points in the second Jaguar in eleventh, as did twelfth-placed Pascal Wehrlein, with both enduring difficult days to further fall away from the championship battle.

But the championship defence for de Vries is definitely back on track thanks to his victory, although his team-mate Vandoorne holds onto the lead heading into the Jakarta E-Prix at the beginning of June.

Berlin E-Prix Race 2 Result

POS.NO.DRIVERNATTEAMTIME/GAP
117Nyck de VriesNEDMercedes-EQ Formula E Team
248Edoardo MortaraCHEROKIT Venturi Racing+2.454
35Stoffel VandoorneBELMercedes-EQ Formula E Team+6.936
411Lucas di GrassiBRZROKiT Venturi Racing+8.165
54Robin FrijnsNEDEnvision Racing+13.829
613António Félix da CostaPORDS Techeetah+14.387
730Oliver RowlandGBRMahindra Racing+15.518
836André LottererGERTAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team+15.845
925Jean-Éric VergneFRADS Techeetah+18.831
109Mitch EvansNZLJaguar TCS Racing+21.722
1110Sam BirdGBRJaguar TCS Racing+22.875
1299Pascal WehrleinGERTAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team+25.412
1327Jake DennisGBRAvalanche Andretti FE Team+27.012
1423Sébastien BuemiCHENissan e.DAMS+29.559
1528Oliver AskewUSAAvalanche Andretti FE Team+33.359
1628Maximilian GüntherGERNissan e.DAMS+35.775
178Oliver TurveyGBRNIO 333 FE Team+40.044
1829Alexander SimsGBRMahindra Racing+41.542
197Sérgio Sette CâmaraBRZDragon/Penske Autosport+41.860
2033Dan TicktumGBRNIO 333 FE Team+51.648
2137Nick CassidyNZLEnvision Racing+55.192
2299Antonio GiovinazziITADragon/Penske Autosport+1:01.933
13769 posts

About author
Long time motorsport fanatic, covering Formula 1 and the occassional other series. Feel free to give him a follow on Twitter at @Paul11MSport.
Articles
Related posts
Formula 2Formula E

Jehan Daruvala to Make Formula E Debut With Maserati

1 Mins read
Formula 2’s Jehan Daruvala is set to make his Formula E debut with Maserati MSG Racing
Formula E

Formula E Title Contenders Embrace Ancient Rome's Spirit Ahead of Rome E-Prix Double Header

2 Mins read
The top four contenders in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship came together in Rome to pay tribute to the fearless charioteers of ancient Rome. As they gear up for the Rome E-Prix double header, Jake Dennis, Nick Cassidy, Pascal Wehrlein, and Mitch Evans took part in a chariot-themed photoshoot at the historic Circus Maximus.
Formula E

Jake Hughes and McLaren Seek Redemption at 2023 Rome E-Prix

1 Mins read
Jake Hughes and the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team are determined to bounce back at the Rome E-Prix after a challenging race in Portland.