Double podium in Morocco
All four Audi e-tron FE05 race cars in the points in Marrakesh.
All four Audi e-tron FE05 cars finished in the points in and exciting race in Morocco.
14 January, 2019
After a tough opening round in the 2018/19 FIA Formula E Championship, Audi demonstrated the speed of the new e-tron FE05 race cars, with a pole position and fastest race lap as well as points for all four cars.
Although Lucas di Grassi was the pace setter for the race, it was ultimately the two Envision Virgin Racing cars – both e-tron FE05 cars – that claimed second and third on the podium, while the two Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler cars finished in the points in seventh and 10th.
“We again saw a very thrilling Formula E race with an altogether good result for Audi,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass.
“Our two customer cars from Envision Virgin Racing with Robin Frijns and Sam Bird finished in second and third positions. Our factory cars with Lucas (di Grassi) and Daniel (Abt), after good starts, were struggling somewhat in the end. We need to understand why they lost pace during the race.”
“We again saw a very thrilling Formula E race with an altogether good result for Audi...”
"Seventh position and the fastest race lap – we’re back in the game.”
Indeed both of the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler cars succumbed to unexplained power issues that will now be carefully studied and corrected ahead of the next round later this month. An unfortunate safety car deployment also played havoc with the team’s race strategy, but the speed demonstrated by the Audi e-tron FE05 cars cause for celebration and bodes well for the rest of the season.
“That was a crazy race,” said Lucas di Grassi. “After my fightback, I was close to taking the lead, but the safety car pretty much compromised our strategy. Seventh position and the fastest race lap – we’re back in the game.”
“Lucas (di Grassi) was fighting for a podium nearly throughout the whole race,” said Allan McNish, Team Principal of Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler after the race. “For him, the safety car came at the wrong time. Everyone was gambling somewhat with the new attack mode; unfortunately we were unlucky with it. Daniel (Abt) advanced quickly at the beginning. He was also a little unfortunate with the safety car. The most important finding for us is that the Audi e-tron FE05 has the pace. We’re happy to see two Audi cars finish on the podium here, but now we are making sure that the sun is shining on our factory team in Santiago.” The third round of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship will be held on January 26th in Santiago de Chile.
"The most important finding for us is that the Audi e-tron FE05 has the pace."
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