First blood for Daniel Abt

After a difficultly start to the 2018 Formula E season, young German driver, Daniel Ant has produced a perfect performance in round five of the FIA Formula E Championship to clinch not only the first victory for the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler in 2018, but the first Formula E win by a German driver in the history of the series.

A huge crowd at the Mexico ePrix witnessed the event, that also saw Abt’s teammate and current world Formula E champion, Lucas di Grassi, fight back from last on the grid to ninth with another of his trademark drives.

Both Audi drivers produced great drives at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguezto in Mexico, to purge the demons of the opening rounds. Abt started the race from fifth on the grid, made up one place immediately at the start and by half-distance was second just behind the leader Oliver Turvey in a NIO. 

He took the lead following a perfect pit stop and afterwards sped away from his pursuers in his Audi e-tron FE04. After 47 laps, the German had an advantage of 6.398 seconds.

“What a fantastic day – finally a win,” Abt said of the result. “We’ve had hard times behind us, but never gave up and taken a commanding victory and ninth place here. I’m incredibly proud of everybody and can only thank the entire team: Both cars were simply perfect. There will be a proper party this evening!”

Defending Champion Lucas di Grassi was relegated to the back of the grid and also had to serve a five-second penalty at the pit stop because the inverter on his Audi e-tron FE04 had to be opened between the races in Santiago de Chile and Mexico City. The Brazilian fought his way through the field and scored his first points of the season with ninth place and the fastest race lap.

“After the problems that we had in the first races this race tastes particularly sweet,” Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass said after the race. “We didn’t know exactly what to expect here. After qualifying the feelings were still a little mixed. But the race was top from both drivers. Lucas drove fantastically and I’m absolutely delighted for Daniel.” 

“Daniel drove an incredible race,” said Team Principal Allan McNish. “It was pure class how he overtook and put himself in position to win. The race from Lucas with the fastest race lap and a difficult comeback drive also gives us a huge boost – not just the race team, but also the people back at base, who have worked very hard between the races. Congratulations to all!” 

The result means that Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler  will go into the next Formula E race in Punta del Este, Uruguay on March 17 with renewed confidence and a thirst for more podium finishes.