2021 Formula E Rome & Valencia ePrix: Mercedes in command after Round 6
After Diriyah, the 2021 Formula E World Championship reached Italy, followed by Spain, for the following two double-header events. Here’s a look at how the action unfolded in the four European rounds of the championship...
By Divyank K. Bansal
After the Rome and Valencia double-headers, the Mercedes-EQ team sits atop the Formula E leaderboard.
After Diriyah, the 2021 Formula E World Championship reached Italy, followed by Spain, for the following two double-header events. Here’s a look at how the action unfolded in the four European rounds of the championship…
Team DS Techeetah’s Jean-Eric Vergne scored his 10th Formula E career victory in Round 3 in Rome as the Frenchman started from fifth and timed his Attack Modes perfectly to gain maximum advantage. The race turned out to be more rewarding for the back runners as Jaguar sealed a 2-3 finish, with drivers Sam Bird and Mitch Evans finishing second and third, respectively, despite starting way back from 10th and 12th positions on the grid.
The following round saw Mercedes emerge on top as a determined drive from Stoffel Vandoorne saw him cross the finish line ahead of everyone to take home a stellar victory. The win also allowed Vandoorne to redeem himself for his DNF in the previous round. The result was also encouraging for homegrown racing outfit Mahindra Racing as Alexander Sims battled his way up from sixth place on the grid to finish second. Former Mahindra and current Porsche driver Pascal Wehrlein, meanwhile, took the final podium berth after ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Norman Nato was disqualified for energy overuse.
The battle in Valencia took an interesting turn, with Round 5 turning into the first rain-hit race of the season. Hailed as one of the ‘craziest E-Prix in Formula E history,’ the Mercedes-EQ team once again rose to the challenge and took home a stellar 1-3 finish, with Nyck de Vries scoring the win this time and Vandoorne claiming the final step on the podium, despite starting the race from 24th on the grid! The two Mercedes drivers were divided by Dragon/Penske Autosport driver Nico Müller, who claimed second place.
Round 6 was all about BMW driver and polesitter Jake Dennis’ flawless lights-to-flag drive that earned him his maiden Formula E victory. Once again, Porsche & Mahindra shared the podium as this time, Andre Lotterer stood on the second step for Porsche and Alex Lynn came home to third place.
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2021 Formula E Diriyah ePrix: Mercedes and Jaguar claim victories in double-header
