Review of the Mexico City ePrix: di Grassi the Conqueror, d’Ambrosio and Buemi the Fighters!

The setting for this ePrix was none other than the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, which has once again hosted Formula 1 since the end of October 2015. A majestic yet unusual setting as well, since Formula E is more accustomed to racing in the heart of cities on much narrower tracks.

The track was nevertheless adapted: the 20 drivers partially used the layout of the premier discipline, notably a section of the start/finish straight, the passage through the Foro Sol sector, named after the baseball stadium (this time running alongside the two main stands, unlike Formula 1 which cuts between them), and finally the last corner, the Parabolica. The last part of the circuit is very interesting with this long right-hand curve: it sets all the speed for the main straight. Let’s also note this mini-oval between turn 2 and turn 4.

Salvador Duran, driver of Team Aguri and especially local to the event, did not hide his enthusiasm: « The layout of the track makes us pass twice in front of the stadium stands, the enthusiasm that will emanate from these stands will certainly be impressive, even contagious! »

The Mexican could rely on the support of some 40,000 frenzied fans along the 2.092 kilometers of the circuit! The popular enthusiasm was evident even in the stands of the Foro Sol stadium where nearly all the seats were taken!

#MexicoePrix thank you @MexicoCityLive @mexico @MexicoCity_com #venturiGP pic.twitter.com/WIgrGQbwMZ

— Venturi FormulaETeam (@VenturiGP) 12 mars 2016

Skilled in the exercise of Qualifications, Jérôme d’Ambrosio treated himself to a new experience in the early afternoon with a Pole position, his second personal one this season, after securing one at the ePrix of Punta del Este, on the Uruguayan coast.

The Belgian driver made the most of his Dragon Racing during the Super Pole, particularly against Nico Prost and Lucas di Grassi, his two closest rivals during the session. A great performance for d’Ambrosio, especially when compared to the 7th place (8th actual) of his teammate Loic Duval. D’Ambrosio admitted to having taken all the risks for his team. This pole position is still unexpected, we were primarily aiming for the Top 5!

Congratulations to @thereal_JDA who takes pole position for the first ever #MexicoePrix! #FormulaE pic.twitter.com/Dm0Yh8pXen

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 12 mars 2016

Great performance also in this session for Daniel Abt, who entered the Top 5 of the Super-Pole for the first time this season. A much more mixed fortune for Jean-Eric Vergne, who just missed out on advancing to the Super-Pole, and for da Costa, who finished 7th but was penalized 10 places for a gearbox change. Nelson Piquet was also the big loser of the session after hitting the Tec-Pro wall in the first corner.

The race, however, had a winner (on the track) who was not Jérôme d’Ambrosio but Lucas di Grassi. Holding his third position in the early laps, the Brazilian from Abt team first got past Nico Prost on the 22nd lap, just before the car change. This was a key moment in the race as di Grassi emerged with determination to overtake Jérôme d’Ambrosio this time on the main straight at the start of the 24th lap. The maneuver was incisive, particularly thanks to the acquisition of the Fan-Boost, with di Grassi on the inside taking the lead of the race and holding it until the end.

After 43 laps, he won the Mexico ePrix, the first of its name!

Starting from pole position, d’Ambrosio will most certainly leave this meeting happy with this second place. The Belgian driver spent most of the time looking in his rearview mirrors, whether during the first or second stint. Once passed by di Grassi, d’Ambrosio did not let up in his efforts to defend his position. It was a very tough opposition, one might say, which Sébastien Buemi tasted very little, repeatedly complaining over the radio about his opponent’s changes of trajectory before braking phases.

The two drivers repeatedly came close to being out of the race: Buemi missed his braking point on the 29th lap, ending his deceleration in the rear wing of d’Ambrosio’s Dragon Racing car, an incident that nevertheless caused no major damage.

The situation was equally absurd on the 35th lap: Buemi overtook D’Ambrosio by generously cutting a chicane. Buemi took some time before giving back the position, which led to a flurry of radio communications, and generally slowed down Prost, Abt, Duval, Heidfeld, and Bird.

Alas, Nico Prost was cooled down on the 38th lap: a drive-through penalty was issued for an anticipated pit exit during the mandatory car change.

When reading the race standings, we can see that the French team Renault e.Dams is losing precious points to Lucas di Grassi, who is establishing himself race after race as a natural contender for the title.

Furthermore, it is noted that the teams Audi ABT, Dragon Racing, and Renault e.Dams truly dominated the discussions, despite Daniel Abt’s eighth place finish, due to a heavy contact with the wall during the 42nd lap.

The rest of the pack is far behind: Robin Frijns finishes as the “best of the rest” with a satisfactory sixth position.

Race without luck for Jean-Eric Vergne, delayed in his car change, or for the Team-Aguri team with Salvador Duran, who was not a prophet in his own country. His teammate Antonio Felix da Costa even had to retire eleven laps from the finish.

Lucas di Grassi’s victory on the track was indisputable with the significant gap he created over the rest of the pack. Nevertheless, the Brazilian’s joy was short-lived: his car was disqualified after technical inspection for non-compliant weight. Jérôme d’Ambrosio therefore inherits the victory on paper!

Final modification to the race standings: Loic Duval loses the benefit of his podium in favor of Nico Prost. Loic Duval was penalized with a 15-second penalty by the stewards after repeatedly cutting the chicane at the first corner.