Audi relish "sweet" Formula E win after “hard times”

Audi Formula E boss Dieter Gass labelled his team’s first victory of the season in Mexico City as “particularly sweet”, following a tough start to the 2017/2018 campaign. 

Following a string of reliability problems across the opening four races of the season, the Audi ABT Schaeffler squad had scored just 12 points and languished eighth in the teams’ standings until Daniel Abt secured a redemptive win in Mexico. 

Abt thought he had secured his first Formula E victory in December after crossing the line in first place in Hong Kong, but he was later disqualified for a technical infringement. Thanks to a combination of misfortune for his rivals, a series of overtakes and a fast pit stop, the German was able to secure his maiden win despite starting sixth on the grid. 

“After the problems that we had in the first races this race tastes particularly sweet,” Audi head of motorsport Dieter Gass said. “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.”

“What a fantastic day – finally a win,” Abt added. “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.”

Audi teammate and reigning champion Lucas di Grassi recorded his first points of the campaign with a recovery drive from last on the grid to ninth after being hit with a 10-place grid penalty for changing the inverter in his Audi e-tron FEO4 following his Santiago retirement. 

“That was an exciting race that was a lot of fun,” the Brazilian said. “Congratulations to Daniel, he did a fantastic job. He had already earned his first victory in Hong Kong. We never give up as a team and our fightback started today.” 

“Daniel drove an incredible race,” Audi team principal Allan McNish added. “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.”