Andrea PerilliAs we are less than a week away from the start of Season 4 in Hong Kong, we take a trip down memory lane to review all the major moments of last season’s race at the same venue.
Hong Kong was added to the calendar ahead of the series’ third season, replacing Beijing as the championship opener. Five new drivers started their first Formula E race, in addition to two new teams. It was the beginning of a whole new season that would take the fully-electric championship to new heights.
Di Grassi and Vergne topped the Free Practice Sessions
The first two non-qualifying sessions saw lots of incidents happening on track. The track itself proved to be challenging for the drivers, especially the tight corners after long straights. Lucas di Grassi topped FP1, in a session where both ABT cars looked very strong. Jean-Éric Vergne showed early on what his TECHEETAH was capable of, by securing P1 in FP2.
Piquet Jr. obtained his maiden Formula E pole position
The beginning of the season saw the Nelson Piquet Jr. display impressive pace on track, allowing him to make it to Super Pole. The S1 champion was the fastest of the five drivers who scored the quickest times, and secured pole position. Despite winning two races and having a championship in the bag, Piquet Jr. had never managed to start from pole in any Formula E race before Hong Kong.
The Race
The new track proved to be challenging for the twenty drivers. A lot of contact occurred in the first few turns, leading to some drivers having to pit early on. But this did not stop brilliant racing from taking place, and already in the first laps of the race we saw some outstanding overtakes and battles.
Mahindra drivers showcase their potential
What we saw in Hong Kong would be the beginning of a season of brilliant drives by Mahindra duo Nick Heidfeld and Felix Rosenqvist. Already on Lap 2, the German and the Swede showcased their innate skills behind the wheel, overtaking José María López and battling each other.
Piquet Jr. and López crash into the barriers
Hong Kong’s unforgiving walls were a nightmare for some drivers. Race leader Nelson Piquet Jr. crashed his NextEV NIO car, after DS Virgin Racing’s José María López lost control of his car and ended up crashing into the barriers. The S1 champion was able to continue racing, whilst the crash caused the Argentinian to retire.
Di Grassi has a rushed pitlane exit
The Brazilian had to change the nose of his car, after substaining damage on the first laps of the race. After his team did the job in an impressively quick time, di Grassi had a rushed pitlane exit, where he was close to running into a marshal. However, his skills behind the wheel prevented that from happening.
Buemi takes the lead and the win
After the mandatory car swap, Season 2 champion Sébastien Buemi took the lead of the race and went on to claim victory. Lucas di Grassi saw the chequered flag in P2, an important result for the Brazilian, whose race start was rather troubled. Nick Heidfeld took his Mahindra to P3, starting the team’s campaign off on the right foot.
Bethonie Waring
