Bethonie WaringFormula E returned to Paris for its third ePrix around the streets of the French capital. The 20 drivers enjoyed their own form of French rush hour in a chaotic Paris ePrix. Just Electric looks at how the drama unfolded through social media.
The action started the Wednesday before race day, when the FE grid participated in a charity electric kart race at Jean-Eric Vergne’s track just outside Paris, in support of Spinal Track.
Fun birthday spent racing with @BillyMonger & friends in aid of @spinal_track! Thank you to everyone who came, supported and donated to the cause ?? #BillyWhizz #ABBFormulaE #SpinalTrack pic.twitter.com/eP0Tb0hv3h
— Jean-Eric Vergne (@JeanEricVergne) April 25, 2018
Fantastic result at the @JeanEricVergne electric kart race this afternoon. @BillyMonger ‘s team made it on to the podium and @MaroEngel ‘s team won. All money raised will go to Spinal Track. ? pic.twitter.com/PA7m8AF3Uw
— Spinal Track (@spinal_track) April 25, 2018
When action moved to the streets on race day, it was Lucas di Grassi and championship contender Sam Bird on top in practice, while Nelson Piquet Jnr made life difficult for himself with crashes in both sessions.
?#ParisEPrix FP1 ?
?️1⃣- @sambirdracing
?️6⃣- @alexlynnracingJoin us LIVE on Facebook for FP2 soon! pic.twitter.com/wLsFi9lO19
— DS Virgin Racing (@DSVirginRacing) April 28, 2018
.@LucasdiGrassi sets the fastest time on his final lap, P5 for @Daniel_Abt #ABBFormulaE #FormulaE #ParisEPrix #etron #ProgressFeelsElectric #LeagueofPerformance pic.twitter.com/XpxyjJG4um
— Audi Formula E (@audiformulae) April 28, 2018
.@NelsonPiquet hits the wall and brings out the red flag in Practice 1 #ParisEPrix pic.twitter.com/y6DXkWIE1V
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) April 28, 2018
It was championship leader Vergne on top in qualifying, just edging out Sam Bird, while Mahindra’s Felix Rosenqvist failed to make it into the top 10.
Pole Position for @JeanEricVergne – amazing lap! @Andre_Lotterer starts the race in 3rd#ABBFormulaE // #TECHEETAH // #PowerFocusBalance pic.twitter.com/liLwEdygv3
— TECHEETAH (@TecheetahFE) April 28, 2018
P1⃣1⃣ @FRosenqvist (1:02.012) and P1⃣2⃣ @NickHeidfeld (1:02.058) at the end of #qualifying. The race begins in three hours’ time. #passioneering #ParisEPrix pic.twitter.com/gMDEVFgQl9
— Mahindra Racing (@MahindraRacing) April 28, 2018
Unfortunately due to damage sustained in practice, @NelsonPiquet is unable to qualify. #ParisEPrix pic.twitter.com/pycOCLihVb
— Jaguar Racing (@JaguarRacing) April 28, 2018
Typical Formula E chaos resumed on race day, with drama up and down the field. Home hero Jean-Eric Vergne managed to avoid the worst of the madness to take his first victory in Paris, while team-mate Andre Lotterer battled with Lucas Di Grassi for second.
As the laps counted down, the battle became even more frantic until Lotterer ran low on energy on the final lap and slowed. Di Grassi managed to avoid the slow moving car but Sam Bird hit the back of the Techeetah, damaging the front right of his Virgin. The championship contender managed to limp over the line to take third.
To win in Paris means so much to me – the photos say it all! Thank you for the amazing support in my home race, now we recharge and focus on Berlin in three weeks time ?@TecheetahFE @FIAFormulaE #ParisEPrix #ABBFormulaE #JEV25 pic.twitter.com/XbDTf1BQ9z
— Jean-Eric Vergne (@JeanEricVergne) May 1, 2018
Another podium for myself and @DSVirginRacing . Not the result we really wanted but still strong points. We will fight till the end.
— sam bird (@sambirdracing) April 29, 2018
