Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Formula E: Abt and di Grassi score points at season opener
december 17, 2018 - Audi

Formula E: Abt and di Grassi score points at season opener

• Eighth and ninth positions for #AudiSport ABT Schaeffler in Ad Diriyah
• Rain in the desert turns timetable upside down

Ad Diriyah, December 15, 2018 – #AudiSport ABT Schaeffler scored points with both cars at the #formulae season opener in Ad Diriyah (Saudi Arabia). Following a chaotic qualifying session, #danielabt and Lucas di Grassi fought back from eleventh and eighteenth on the grid to finish eighth and ninth.

At the season opener in the desert, the teams had expected anything but rain which, on Saturday morning, resulted in just one short free practice session taking place, instead of the two scheduled sessions. To top things off, this track time was interrupted by red flags. Qualifying, which is normally divided into a group phase and a Super Pole shootout of the six fastest drivers, took place in two groups immediately after free practice.

“I think all of the teams suffered very much under the conditions on this difficult race track that was new for everyone,” said Team Principal #AllanMcNish. “Qualifying was like a gamble and nobody was able to prepare perfectly. In the end, we have to settle for Daniel (Abt) and Lucas (di Grassi) still having finished in the points but, obviously, the result is not what we expected or capable of. We’re taking plenty of homework with us to Neuburg and clearly want to improve for the next race in Marrakesh.”

On the wet race track in qualifying, both drivers from #AudiSport ABT Schaeffler complained about insufficient grip on the rear axle. In addition, Lucas di Grassi – like several other drivers – retroactively had his fastest qualifying lap cancelled due to a short-term power peak.” In the race, both Audi drivers showed a fighting spirit. “But we were simply not fast enough today,” said #danielabt, “so we had to fight hard for our positions. It was a tough race for us.” The second race of the new #formulae season will be held in Morocco on January 12, 2019.


You might be interested in

march 13, 2024
january 29, 2024
january 29, 2024

DS Automobiles and its partner PENSKE AUTOSPORT is ready to contest the Sao Paulo E-Prix on March 16Having accumulated a solid poi...

After Jean-Eric Vergne’s pole position and podium the day before, DS Automobiles and PENSKE AUTOSPORT racked up yet more important...

Race report: Diriyah E-Prix, Round 2 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.World champion Jake Dennis (GBR) wins with the Po...