Formula E

TWO-TIME Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne won the first of two races in Rome.The chaotic street race saw Audi’s Lucas Di Grassi lose the lead due to a power failure which led to the two Mercedes also crashing.
Jean-Eric Vergne won his first race of the season
As Di Grassi slowed, Mercedes’ Stoffel Vandoorne took evasive action but spun off and collided with his teammate Nyck de Vries.
While Brit Sam pulled off sensational overtakes throughout the race as he fought from 11th on the grid to finish second, to strengthen his lead at the top of the championship to nine points.
Vergne was able to cruise to victory behind the safety car as the stewards cleared up a handful of stricken cars.
Vergne said: “It was a very difficult race with the conditions. There was a lot of rain and it was very slippy.
“I almost hit the wall on more than one occasion but I was able to survive and I am very happy with the win.”
Vergne’s car had to be rebuilt following practice after Oliver Turvey came charging into the back of him while he was stationary, preparing to do a practice start.
Eight cars failed to finish the ePrix in Rome
This was Jaguar’s first ever double podium finish as Bird finished second and his teammate Mitch Evans climbed from 12th to finish third.
The two Jaguar drivers wore black armbands in in tribute to Prince Philip.
Bird said: “That’s our first ever double podium as a team, so massive congrats to the guys who are here and back at the factory.
“It’s been working really between me and Mitch on and off the circuit which is great and we’re working hard to push the team forwards.”
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FORMULA E have made this season’s Rome and Valencia E-Prix both double headers in a recent update to their calendar.And as the season ramps up, FE have also announced an electric Mini as their new safety car.
The electric Mini Pacesetter becomes Formula E’s new safety car
The car will be seen at the next race in Rome
The little dazzling battery-powered car will be flying around streets circuits.
The Mini will share duties with the BMW i8 Roadster which was revealed by Brooklyn Beckham in Mexico last year.
The new safety car will appear at the next two races in Rome.
The FE calendar has always been subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 
But to beef up the schedule both the Rome E-Prix and the Valencia E-Prix will be changed to double header events next month.
This is how the season opener in Saudi Arabia kickstarted the current campaign, with two races in the space of two days. 
Brit Sam Bird won the last race in Suadi Arabia driving for Jaguar

The streets of Rome will host the third and fourth race of the season on the 10th-11th April. 
The first of the two races will be televised on BBC Two at 2.45pm.
While Valencia will host their first ever FE race on 24th April.
 A spokesperson for Formula E said: “We will continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and we are in constant communication with the community of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters and host cities.”
British driver Sam Bird is ready for a new Formula E racing season More

SAM BIRD extended his record as the only driver to win a race in all seven Formula E seasons in Saudi Arabia.
The Brit claimed his first victory since his switch to Jaguar to cap off the double header under the lights in Riyadh.

Sam Bird is the only driver to win a race in all seven Formula E seasonsCredit: Formula E

Bird fiercely battled with former Envision Virgin Racing teammate Robin Frijns who finished second ahead of two-time FE champion Jean-Eric Vergne.
Bird said: “I was a bit emotional in the car, it was a big step for me leaving what was my family at Envision Virgin Racing, who were great to me for six years and joining a new team.
“But Jaguar have welcomed me with open arms, I didn’t know what to expect at the beginning but I have come into a fantastic team.
“They’re a great bunch of guys, they’re already my family and I’m just happy I can get the result.”

Last season’s constructors’ champions Techeetah stormed through the field but it ended with both teammates colliding.
The reigning champion Antonio Felix Da Costa and former F1 ace Vergne both barged into each other as they were fighting for a place on the podium.
Vergne ultimately took the final step on the podium as Da Costa settled for fourth.

Both Mercedes drivers finished outside the points
Mercedes duo Stoffel Vandoorne and yesterday’s winner Nyck de Vries both finished outside of the points.

This was after a heavy crash in the final practice session for Edoardo Mortara in a Mercedes-powered Venturi car.
Mortara flew into the barriers after a break failure, which led to the FIA preventing all Mercedes powered cars from going out on track until the issue was resolved, which forced the Mercs to miss qualifying.
Mortara was not fit to race after going to the medical centre but was on the grid prior to the race.

Edoardo Mortara avoided any severe injuries from his heavy collisonCredit: Splash News
Mortara said: “I feel quite okay. I would be lying if I said I was perfectly fine.
“I have some big pain from the crash this morning but I am thankful and grateful I don’t have any severe injuries.
“It was not a great feeling, it’s a thing I would like to forget.”
“You feel a bit like a passenger, there’s nothing you can do with no breaks.”
“I thought it was the end for me, so it was not a nice feeling at all.”
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British driver Sam Bird is ready for a new Formula E racing season More