Review of the Berlin ePrix: victory for Di Grassi, good performance for Vergne

The balance of power in the Formula E field is beginning to clarify after a season start that saw eight different winners in as many races.

After Jean-Eric Vergne in Monaco, Lucas Di Grassi claims a second victory in this 2019 season. The two drivers, the only ones with more than one victory to their name, enlivened this race on the Tempelhof airport track in the German capital.

On his Audi single-seater, Di Grassi easily takes second place after the start against a struggling Stoffel Vandoorne despite qualifying on the front row of the grid. A few laps later, it is Sébastien Buemi with Nissan e.dams who will face the wrath of the Brazilian driver.

While Di Grassi had done the hardest part to take the lead in the world championship race, French driver Jean Eric Vergne was giving a lesson in overtaking by climbing up past his competitors one by one, as evidenced by his powerful move on Felix Da Costa. Patient and determined, the French driver would secure a place on the podium, thus limiting the damage in the championship standings.

Another big overtake for @JeanEricVergne as he takes third place from @afelixdacosta #BerlinEPrix #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/gpufM4tVXM

— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) 25 mai 2019

At the end of this German stage, the French driver still holds the lead in the championship with 102 points, 6 points more than the day’s winner Lucas Di Grassi. The big loser of the weekend is André Lotterer, who, following his retirement, drops to 3rd place in the standings, giving way to the hero of the day, Di Grassi.

The latest championship standings after the 2019 #BerlinEPrix 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/qm3pZmzPPJ

— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) 25 mai 2019

Notably, in a Formula E increasingly marked by collisions and race interruptions, the Berlin ePrix took place without any major incidents.