ePrix de Paris – Race: Buemi goes from strength to strength

The images are as spectacular as ever. Surrounding the Hôtel des Invalides, not far from the Eiffel Tower, the National Assembly, and the Place de la Concorde, Formula E has once again secured a magical setting for its second Paris ePrix.

After resolving its organizational issues, the 100% electric discipline welcomed this time around ten thousand spectators, gathered around a circuit 1.920 kilometers long.

Short but intense, the Parisian track had experienced a qualifying session disputed at midday.

Thirteen months after Sam Bird claimed pole position, Sébastien Buemi has proven himself in the super-Pole finale. The championship leader narrowly edged out Jean-Eric Vergne. Six thousandths of a second, converted into a few meters of difference on the starting grid.

Behind the two headliners, José Maria Lopez positioned himself as the first outsider, behind the wheel of his DS Virgin Racing, a team with French roots. Next to him in the second row, it was not Oliver Turvey (demoted from his fourth place due to a ten-place penalty) but the other Techeetah of Esteban Gutiérrez.

The Indian threat, with Mahindra Racing, then locked out the third row. Nico Prost settled for ninth position, four spots ahead of Lucas di Grassi, one of the session’s disappointed drivers along with Sam Bird himself, who was eighteenth.

Forecasted at one point, the rain ultimately did not make an appearance during the race, allowing the drivers to battle among themselves for 49 laps.

At 4 p.m. and a few minutes, the 20 competitors took their positions on the starting line, drawn along Boulevard des Invalides. 620 meters ahead was the first turn.

Vain attempt at the start for Vergne

At the start, Buemi just managed to stay ahead! Neck and neck with Vergne, the Renault e.Dams remained in the lead after the first corner.

Behind José Maria Lopez, Nick Heidfeld snatched fourth place from Esteban Gutiérrez. Off to a good start, Jérôme d’Ambrosio climbed into the top 10. All the drivers completed the first lap without any issues.

Re-live the start of the Qatar Airways Paris ePrix #ParisePrix pic.twitter.com/kqWOfbCRsK

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 20 mai 2017

Lucas di Grassi worsened his situation by losing two positions, from 13th to 15th. The Brazilian was struggling with his car, lacking grip.

The first laps went by and the top 10 froze without any major changes. At the back of the pack, Stéphane Sarrazin was also stuck, waiting to adopt an offbeat strategy.

First driver adrift, Nelson Piquet hit the wall on the fifteenth lap, in the seventh turn, before the main straight. The Brazilian slipped to sixteenth place behind his compatriot Lucas di Grassi. The Abt Schaeffler driver was the center of attention, battling with Antonio Félix da Costa, who firmly closed the door into the first turn.

This first maneuver was the prelude to the collision that would follow. On the 16th lap, da Costa did not ease off the accelerator against his opponent, who was trying to overtake him. On the inside, the Portuguese stayed level. The accident was

Inevitable: the driver Andretti hit the wall and di Grassi lost precious seconds in the incident.

Crash! @afelixdacosta out after contact with @LucasdiGrassi #ParisePrix pic.twitter.com/FO8DdDFOJ9

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 20 mai 2017

di Grassi and Vergne: broken dreams

The neutralization shifted the race into a new phase. The entire field was already pitting to get into the second car. Buemi reclaimed the lead on the 26th lap after the last driver on his first car, Mike Conway, who was the provisional leader, stopped. Felix Rosenqvist, for his part, had snatched Esteban Gutiérrez’s position.

Surprisingly, Lucas di Grassi benefited from his collision and the subsequent Full Course Yellow (FCY). Buemi’s rival had climbed to eighth place after overtaking Nico Prost on track. But there was a catch: his pit stop was completed below the regulatory limit of 70 seconds. The Brazilian served his penalty on the 31st lap and exited the points zone, never to return.

Major twist two laps later: the runner-up was dethroned! Jean-Eric Vergne hit the wall coming out of the thirteenth turn, which skirts Vauban Square. The local favorite’s hopes for a podium finish vanished in that moment. His Techeetah suddenly skidded, refusing to turn. This accident led to the deployment of the safety car.

Big hit! @JeanEricVergne crashes out of the #ParisePrix pic.twitter.com/OdjY5wNp5F

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 20 mai 2017

Buemi, new victory without a shadow of a doubt

The electric BMW returned to the pits on the 38th lap, unleashing the electric beasts for about ten laps. Buemi saw di Grassi’s car ahead of him, whose only objective was to clinch the fastest lap point. An objective also coveted by Sam Bird, stuck in sixteenth position. The DS Virgin Racing driver improved the time.

The Brit finally secured this point after the final crash by Lucas di Grassi!

A symbol indeed with the accident of the 2016 edition winner, which provides a similar ending for the 2017 victor.

A push too far. @LucasdiGrassi ends in the barriers as he fought for the Visa Fastest Lap #ParisePrix pic.twitter.com/jIqnD6uYCO

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 20 mai 2017

Sébastien Buemi wins the Paris ePrix!

Here is his fifth victory in six meetings, the eleventh in his overall electric career.

The championship leader widens the gap on his pursuers, now with a 43-point lead over Lucas di Grassi. Just a few more points and the Swiss driver could almost skip the New York round with peace of mind…

Second in the race, “Pechito” clinches his first podium, ahead of Nick Heidfeld who regains his Monaco position.

Behind, the standings were shaken up as three drivers, Frijns, Gutiérrez, and Dillmann, received a five-second penalty for speeding under the Full Course Yellow. And in the final lap, Daniel Abt abandoned his car, creating a strange confusion, to conclude this Parisian round…

Here is the final ranking of the race, taking into account the penalties

.@Sebastien_buemi wins the 2017 FIA Formula E @qatarairways #ParisePrix with @pechito37 2nd and @NickHeidfeld 3rd! #FormulaE pic.twitter.com/dXfna9Hbbx

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 20 mai 2017