Audi strong in Paris
Audi in the hunt for both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships after a strong performance in the Paris E-Prix.
Fickle weather marked this year’s Paris E-Prix, but the rain and hail did nothing to damper the Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler resolve.
29 April, 2019
"I could hardly see through my visor. The car was floating and I had zero grip"
The Paris E-Prix is without doubt one of the most spectacular layouts in the FIA Formula E championship, situated as it is right in the heart of the city. But in 2019, the weather at times was so ferocious that drivers had difficulty seeing the track, never mind catching a glimpse at the stunning surrounds.
Nevertheless, despite rain and at times hail, Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler was relentless, proving the most successful team over the weekend and during up its position defend its manufacturers’ championship title.
For Daniel Abt, the City of Lights became his second podium of the season, starting from seventh to finish third and moving the young German into eighth position on the drivers’ championship. Teammate Lucas di Grassi came from eighth on the grid to narrowly miss scoring another podium but moved up the overall rankings into fourth – just 11 points from the leader.
“That was an incredible race,” Abt said of the result. “After a strong start with great fights, I felt I could win today. But then a shower came and after that things turned chaotic. I could hardly see through my visor. The car was floating and I had zero grip. So I told myself not to do anything stupid and just bring the car home. This podium is crucial, we need these points.”
Lucas di Grassi was also pleased with the result given the trying conditions:
“From eighth to fourth place – it was a good race. The conditions were incredibly difficult, but we earned plenty of points. I’m now fourth in the championship. We're catching up. Thanks to Audi and the entire team for a great job today. I'm now looking forward to the next race in Monaco.”
While Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler was the most successful team in Paris, another Audi finished in the points, with Robin Frijns, driving an Audi FE05 e-tron race car for the Envision Virgin Racing team, scored his first ever Formula E win, while chalking up another victory for the Audi FE05 e-tron.
“That was a very good result at an extremely exciting race,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “We saw so much action out on the track with changing weather conditions, multiple caution phases and the safety car. Our drivers kept their cool and didn't make any mistakes. That's what counts under such conditions. The factory squad put in a strong performance with positions three and four. However, I'm also thrilled for Robin Frijns who secured his first Formula E win with another Audi. That's fantastic. So far, we've seen eight different winners, three of which drove an Audi.”
"We saw so much action out on the track with changing weather conditions, multiple caution phases and the safety car. Our drivers kept their cool and didn't make any mistakes"
With five more races remaining in the season, the championship is closer than ever before
With five more races remaining in the season it is impossible to forecast who will hold the drivers’ championship trophy aloft at the end. So far eight different drivers have won the eight races and the teams are likewise separated but only a few points.
“Thanks to the fantastic second podium result for Daniel, and Lucas directly behind on fourth place, we've scored a lot of points today and are right up there in the fight for the titles in both championships,” said Team Principal Allan McNish. “I'm very pleased with both drivers and the whole team.”
The next race sees the teams descend on Monaco on May 11, before Berlin, Bern (Switzerland) and then two races in New York in July to wrap up the series.
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