Thirteen days after the first appointment of the season in Mexico, here is that ABB FIA Formula E makes his return to the track. Scenario of the first double-header of the season is the street circuit of diriyahin Saudi Arabia. The track has not changed since 2021, and is 2.495 meters long, with 21 corners - 12 to the right and 9 to the left. Driven clockwise, the lap record dates back to season 8 and belongs to Sam bird (1: 08.723).
Qualifying: Buemi on pole in the hundredth race
Unlike Mexico, the two qualifying groups were created, as per the regulations, following the order of the standings. The riders in odd positions (1-3-5-etc) took part in group A, while the others in group B. The riders who entered the final stage were therefore Jake Hughes, Oliver Rowland, Dan Ticktum, Lucas di Grassi, Sam Bird, Sébastien Buemi, Mitch Evans and René Rast.
In the duels, the best performance was recorded by Bird, however beaten in the semifinals by Buemi. The latter challenged rookie Hughes in the final, beating him by just 6 cents and taking the 15th pole of his career. In doing so, Sébastien Buemi took the fifteenth pole position, in what is his 100th race in Formula E.
Gara: Wehrlein, what a comeback!
In the race there was literally no story regarding the final result. Starting from pole, Buemi did not show a good race pace to be able to stay ahead, conceding the lead of the race to Sam bird who commanded for a good part of the race. Starting ninth, Wehrlein recovered three positions on the first lap due to a contact between Evans, di Grassi and Rowland, before starting a slow comeback which led him, on lap 25, to attack Bird. However, braking for too long forced the German to postpone his attempt to take the lead. On the thirtieth lap Bird had to surrender to Wehrlein's attempt who, once he conquered the top, never looked back.
At the same time, another rider launched his comeback: we're talking about Jake dennis, party eleventh. On lap XNUMX, Dennis overtook Bird for second place and set off in pursuit of the Porsche standard bearer. However, the time available was very short, and Wehrlein managed to defend the half-second advantage despite the difference in energy. Sam Bird completed the podium, while poleman Buemi had to settle for fourth place.
Maximilian Gunther did not take part in the race due to a very violent contact in qualifying which destroyed the car. At ABT, on the other hand, Kelvin van der Linde he replaced the injured man Robin Frijns, finishing the race in sixteenth position.
Standings
