A look back at the Marrakech ePrix: Who can stop Sébastien Buemi?

The second ePrix of the 2016-2017 season was doubly symbolic. For the first time in its young history, Formula E set up on the African continent. Morocco and the “Red City” of Marrakech were the stage for an event organized in the heart of COP22. While countries from around the world negotiated agreements a few meters away to address climate change, the 100% electric Formula continued to advance its image as the least polluting discipline in motorsports.

On the sporting side itself, hostilities began, as is usually customary, with a first shakedown held this Friday on the Moulay El Hassan circuit.

The two free practice sessions took place on Saturday morning. Two training sessions that took place on a tricky track, with grip changing with the wind, but also with sand brought onto the track by the wind.

These conditions destabilized the drivers, often causing them to go off the track, such as in this turn number 7, a tight left corner at the end of a long straight, or in the long curve leading into the first turn.

Here, the DS Virgin Racing drivers made a mark. Despite being experienced after racing on the same track in WTCC, José Maria Lopez made a mistake in FP1 and got a bit too close to the wall. The Argentine compromised his chances early on by interrupting his session with four pit stops. The first session was also dominated by Lucas di Grassi (ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport), ahead of the two Renault e.dams, Nico Prost leading Sébastien Buemi.

A few minutes later, FP2 saw Buemi dominate this time, ahead of the surprising Mahindra driver, Felix Rosenqvist. The Swede was getting comfortable with the Moroccan track, being the only one (along with the Swiss) to break the 1:21 mark. On the other hand, Lopez’s teammate made a mistake. Understeering, Sam Bird spun at the end of the session, in the eighth turn. His collision with the barriers abruptly interrupted the session and caused quite a bit of trouble for his team. Fortunately for him, the Franco-British mechanics managed to get his car ready in time for the Qualifications.

Felix Rosenqvist learns quickly!

The Mahindra Racing driver made a strong impact at the end of the super-Pole by clinching his first pole position, in (only) his second attempt in the discipline! He also delivered an unprecedented pole position to his team, after an aggressive yet effective final lap, completed in 1:21.509. The 25-year-old young wolf didn’t hesitate on a track still rendered tricky by wind and sand. He snatched the pole from Sébastien Buemi, who had gone just before him: only 37 thousandths of a second separated the two men!

Rosenqvist first emerged from his qualifying group, the fourth one. Just like one of his closest pursuers, Sam Bird, who made a comeback after his crash in FP2.

Initially third, the English driver moved up to second place after a five-place penalty was applied to Buemi.

The FIA penalized the winner of the Hong-Kong ePrix… for an onboard fire extinguisher weight that was 3.25kg below the authorized weight. A seemingly innocuous mistake, but safety is no joke in Formula E! The reigning world champion consequently dropped to seventh place on the starting grid.

Consequently, Nelson Piquet Jr (third), Jean-Eric Vergne (fourth), Daniel Abt (fifth), and Nico Prost (sixth) all moved up one position.

The main disappointments of this session were Nico Prost, unable to reach the top 5 and the super-Pole. But also Lucas di Grassi, only twelfth, ahead of the other DS Virgin Racing; José Maria Lopez’s. However, the track mainly favored the drivers in the last group and the “Professor’s” son can consider himself disadvantaged with a slot in the first group.

Let us also note that Jean-Eric Vergne was unable to defend his chances during the super-Pole. He had the best absolute time in the group phase at 1:20.993 (the only driver under the 1:20 mark), but his Techeetah came to a stop at the end of the pit-lane even before his launch lap.

Buemi imperial in the race!

It was under perfect weather but a setting sun that the second ePrix of the season took off. 33 laps were scheduled on this 2.97-kilometer track.

For once, it was a smooth start taken by the 20 drivers on the grid.

The poleman Rosenqvist had managed the pressure inherent in a first Pole start well. Starting seventh, Buemi tried from the outset to make up his five-place grid penalty. Very quickly, the Swiss overtook his teammate. Buemi’s climb also involved a two-stage overtaking maneuver on Daniel Abt in the 8th lap. The Renault e.dams driver was then the fastest on track, just like the leader Felix Rosenqvist.

A little further on, di Grassi was stuck in the middle of the pack and couldn’t fight for the lead. He only witnessed the retirement of Antonio Félix da Costa, suddenly let down by his Andretti single-seater.

But the Safety Car did not enter the track. The battle for second place was in full swing between Bird, Vergne, and Buemi. Brilliantly, Jean-Eric Vergne launched an attack and overtook Bird! The Englishman faced another setback moments later by getting passed by Buemi again.

Consequently, the suspense was palpable at the time of the car changes mid-race. A bit more demanding on the battery, Rosenqvist stopped on the 16th lap just like “JEV,” leaving the command to the Buemi-Bird duo who stopped a lap later. The switch to the second car did not disrupt the leading positions, even though Rosenqvist and Vergne had to carefully manage their batteries.

Behind, we almost forgot about the others: Nico Prost was now driving in fifth place ahead of Daniel Abt, after overtaking him during the first stint.

However, one of the contenders for victory was sidelined. Jean-Eric Vergne suffered a significant setback by being penalized with a drive-through for speeding in the pit lane during his car change. From a quartet, a trio was set to battle for victory. Nevertheless, the Techeetah driver rejoined in fifth position after his forced pit stop, behind Nico Prost.

There were less than 10 laps remaining, and Buemi was closing in on the Scandinavian leader. The Renault driver didn’t take long to take the lead, overtaking Rosenqvist at the end of the 27th lap. From then on, it was just a matter of managing for the former Toro Rosso driver in Formula 1.

.@Sebastien_buemi @RENAULTedams takes the lead in the #MarrakeshePrix diving up the inside of @FRosenqvist https://t.co/ON9sBl8R60

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 12 novembre 2016

For the Mahindra driver, it was still a battle, this time against Bird. Unopposed, the ex-Mercedes test driver snatched Rosenqvist from second place. But for the rookie, the podium was still within reach, Nico Prost being too far away to dispossess him of his position.

The outcome of this last ePrix was known, it didn’t change a bit in the final lap.

Sébastien Buemi wins the Marrakech ePrix! The Renault e.dams driver doubles down and in what a way, starting from seventh place on the grid. Nothing seems to stop his progress at the start of the season, his opponents are already far behind in the overall drivers’ standings.

Second, Sam Bird took the honors, just like Felix Rosenqvist whose consistency and maturity were noteworthy since starting from pole. Jean-Eric Vergne, on the other hand, lost three positions at the end of the race.

Here is the final ranking of this Marrakech ePrix:

After 33 laps, @Sebastien_buemi wins the #MarrakeshePrix, with @sambirdracing 2nd and @FRosenqvist in 3rd> https://t.co/9IAoam87lM pic.twitter.com/mGRqBL5rTb

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 12 novembre 2016

In the end, it is an eighth victory for Buemi in the Formula E record books. The start of the season is clearly in favor of the driver and the French team Renault e.dams. Jean-Paul Driot and Alain Prost’s men could therefore take a few moments to savor a well-deserved success.

The raw emotion of the #MarrakeshePrix podium. Congrats @Sebastien_buemi @sambirdracing and @FRosenqvist https://t.co/3E3FaWDhoy

— FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 12 novembre 2016