Audi joining the Formula E grid has really bolstered the sport’s presence in the motorsport world as they team up with Abt Sportsline. World Endurance driver Lucas di Grassi leads the team with rising star Daniel Abt joining him at the German marque.
The team looked like the ones to beat in testing, with di Grassi swapping fastest times with e.Dams’ Sebastien Buemi. Come Beijing the Audi Sport Abt team had a great qualifying, locking out second and third on the grid. However, come the race both drivers lacked speed and fell back from the leaders Heidfeld and Prost. However, the last lap collision between the former saw di Grassi sweep up the remains and win the race. Abt was provisionally third on the podium, however he was penalised for exceeding the amount of power a driver is allowed to use during a race and fell down the pack. Nevertheless, it was still a great start for Audi protégé di Grassi.
It wasn’t a great start for di Grassi in Putrajaya, crashing out in qualifying whilst seeing his team-mate qualify in a very reasonable fourth. The race however saw di Grassi rise from the back of the field and, unseen by the the TV footage, came out second after the pitstops and finished there whilst Abt, again struck by the bad luck which seems to have followed him from GP2, endured damage and came home to take one point.
Punta del Este saw an average qualifying for the team with di Grassi lining up sixth and Abt tenth. However, the race once again proved fruitful; for di Grassi that is. He worked his way up to finish third and once again on the podium. It was three podiums from three races for di Grassi, while it was three issues from three races for Abt as he limped home fifteenth after suffering power issues. Di Grassi was now firmly leading the championship; if Audi were to move up in the Constructors’, points from both drivers would be vital.
Heading to Bueno Aires Abt was looking hopeful. Unfortunately, he could only manage twelfth on the grid while di Grassi lined up fifth. The race got off to a reasonable start with both drivers progressing. Alas, a suspension issue took di Grassi out of the race early on and Abt compounded Audi’s misery by crashing into Alguersuari.
There is clearly inherent pace in the Audi car with Abt setting numerous fastest laps, leaving much cause for optimism as Audi head to Miami, especially with lead driver Lucas di Grassi leading the drivers’ championship by ten points resulting in the Audi Sport Abt Team being currently placed third in the constructors’ championship as we head into the second half of the season.
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