Sam Bird wins New York ePrix Race 1

Formula E headed to New York for the first time in its short history this weekend for a double header event around the streets of Brooklyn. For the first race of the weekend, DS Virgin Racing’s Alex Lynn claimed pole position in his first ever qualifying session in the series.

Sam Bird wins New York ePrix Race 1

Starting from the front row, a slow getaway when the lights went out resulted in Lynn dropping down to second place as Daniel Abt took the lead. From then on in Abt led Lynn before Sam Bird moved into second place, overtaking his part-time team mate. Pushing hard in second, Bird began closing in on Abt to take first place on lap 16 with a diving move down the inside in the hairpin. After pitting on lap 22, Bird maintained his lead from the rest of the field to cross the finish line and win the first ever FIA backed motorsport race in New York.

It was also a good day for Techeetah, with Jean Eric Vergne and Stephane Sarrazin securing a 2-3 finish. In the closing stages of the race, Vergne’s second place finish looked solidified. Daniel Abt also looked set for a podium finish until running wide, allowing Sarrazin to creep up into the podium positions.

Lucas Di Grassi was the biggest winner in the first race of the weekend at the New York ePrix after qualifying down in tenth place and finishing in fourth. In the race, Di Grassi drove with precision and expertise to slice his way though the field effectively and efficiently, with his pass on Felix Rosenqvist highlighting the talent that the Brazilian driver has, forcing the Swedish Mahindra driver into a mistake by putting him under severe pressure, gaining a position as a result.

Another notable mention was the performance of FE rookie, Pierre Gasly, who finished inside the points in seventh place his debut race for Renault e.dams after qualifying down in 19th. Gasly finished ahead of his team mate and fellow countryman, Nico Prost.

Results from the New York ePrix Race 1:

1. Sam Bird, DS Virgin Racing, 25 points
2. Jean Eric Vergne, Techeetah, 18 points
3. Stephane Sarrazin, Venturi Formula E, 15 points
4. Lucas Di Grassi, Abt Schaffler Audi Sport, 12 points
5. Loic Duval, Faraday Future Dragon Racing, 10 points
6. Oliver Turvey, Nextev Nio, 8 points
7. Pierre Gasly, Renault e.dams, 6 points
8. Nico Prost, Renault e.dams, 4 points
9. Robin Frijns, Andretti Formula E, 2 points
10. Adam Carroll, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, 1 point
11. Nelson Piquet Jr, Nextev Nio, 0 points
12. Antonio Felix Da Costa, Andretti Formula E, 0 points
13. Tom Dillmann, Venturi Formula E, 0 points
14. Daniel Abt, Abt Schaffler Audi Sport, 0 points
15. Felix Rosenqvist, Mahindra Racing, 0 points
16. Nick Heidfeld, Mahindra Racing, Ret
17. Maro Engel, Venturi Formula E, Ret
18. Alex Lynn, DS Virgin Racing, Ret
19. Jerome D’ambrosio, Faraday Future Dragon Racing, Ret
20. Mitch Evans, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Ret