Strong result in Rome

A brilliant setting for a motor race, the first Formula E race to be held in Rome proved another successful hunting ground for Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, with the Audi drivers producing strong performances to secure another podium result.

Defending champion, Lucas di Grassi finished just 0.970 seconds behind race winner, Sam Bird, with Daniel Abt unlucky not to clinch third.

In front of a massive crowd of more than 30,000 spectators, including Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, the two Audi drivers started from sixth and ninth on the grid, before turning on a masterclass in race craft, much to the delight of the spectators.

The pair drove to save energy in the first half of the race, allowing them to drive one more lap than most of their competitors. Following the pit stops, both recovered a deficit to the front runners of more than 10 seconds, battling their way forward position by position with spectacular overtaking manoeuvres. 

“I’m overjoyed to have clinched a podium for Audi in the successful Formula E premiere in Rome,” said di Grassi after the race. 

“After the start, I was only in eighth position, so second in the end is simply fantastic. It was an outstanding race that I’m very happy with,” he said.

Teammate Daniel Abt had to endure some troubles and traffic, losing radio contact with his pits and also a slower than desirable pit stop, but his eventual fourth position was an inspired result.

“Sébastien (Buemi) and André (Lotterer) didn’t make life easy for me. I lost a lot of time behind those two before being able to overtake them. Just one lap longer and I might even have finished on the podium. But, as it is, we can be proud of having scored important points after starting from position nine and of having set the fastest race lap.” 

“It was a fantastic start of the European season,” said Head of Audi Motorsport, Dieter Gass. 

“The location in Rome is incredible and the track is very nice. The race was action-packed and ended well for us. In view of our grid positions, it was an excellent race for Audi.” 

After Rome, Daniel Abt, now sits on 50 points and has improved to fifth position in the overall classification of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Lucas di Grassi is now eighth with 39 points, while Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler was the most successful team in Rome with 31 points and moves up to position fourth.

The next round of the Formula E championship will take place in just two weeks (April 28) in Paris.