Vandoorne takes redemptive Formula E win at Rome E-Prix
Mercedes driver Stoffel Vandoorne claimed a superb redemptive Formula E victory at the second Rome E-Prix as he bounced back from a DNF in the first race in style.
Vandoorne started fourth on the grid following a wet qualifying session but immediately gained a position when polesitter Nick Cassidy spun out on the opening lap.
The Belgian grabbed second with an opportunistic lunge on Venturi’s Norman Nato into Turn 15 on the third tour, and found himself in the lead when Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein activated his first Attack Mode.
It proved to be poorly timed for Wehrlein as it coincided with a Full Course Yellow deployed when Sebastien Buemi pitched Lucas di Grassi into the wall.
Vandoorne looked to be in complete control as he pulled clear at the restart while Sims mugged Wehrlein to take second, before Nato also found his way past Wehrlein to move back into the top three.
However, Vandoorne’s five-second lead was wiped out by a late Safety Car when Rene Rast lost control of his Audi and slammed into the wall coming out of Turn 1.
That resulted in a last-lap dash to the flag, but Vandoorne held firm to record his second Formula E victory and launch himself into championship contention.
It acted as sweet redemption for Vandoorne who had endured a tough opening race on Saturday that ended with a crash after he had taken pole position and led the start of the race.
Sims ended up just six-tenths behind Vandoorne at the flag, while Nato took third on the road but was disqualified after the Venturi driver was found to have ran out of energy.
That penalty promoted Wehrlein into third to complete the podium finishers.
Venturi’s Edoardo Mortara was fourth ahead of Max Gunther’s BMW, Jaguar driver Mitch Evans and reigning Formula E champion Antonio Felix da Costa.
Buemi, Tom Blomqvist and Nico Muller rounded out the rest of the points-paying positions for Nissan, NIO 333 and Dragon respectively.
Championship leader Sam Bird was rammed by fellow frontrunner Nyck de Vries on the final lap in an accident that also wiped out Oliver Rowland.
Bird leaves Round 4 holding an eight-point lead over Jaguar teammate Evans in the drivers' standings.
FULL RACE RESULTS FROM ROUND 4 OF THE 2021 FORMULA E SEASON AT THE ROME E-PRIX.
