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Formula E Monaco 2022: Stoffel Vandoorne wins in the Principality

Phil Laffertey

Stoffel Vandoorne wins Formula E Monaco E-Prix from fourth on the grid – Porsche double retirement – Maximilian Günther runs out of energy

Mercedes driver Stoffel Vandoorne won the Monaco E-Prix, the sixth race of the 2022 Formula E World Championship, on Saturday, celebrating his first victory of the season. The Belgian drove from fourth on the grid to the front with a strong race pace while driving efficiently, ensuring a first, as all Formula E races in Monaco to date have been won by the pole-sitter.

Who, in the person of Jaguar driver Mitch Evans, finished second today after 30 laps, 1.285 seconds behind Vandoorne. Evans thus missed out on a hat-trick of victories after his double success in Rome. Jean-Eric Vergne (DS-Techeetah) finished third ahead of Robin Frijns (Envision) and Antonio Felix da Costa (DS-Techeetah).

Lucas di Grassi (Venturi) was sixth ahead of Nick Cassidy (Envision). Sebastien Buemi (Nissan-e.dams), who moved up from 21st on the grid to eighth, Jake Dennis (Andretti) and reigning world champion Nyck de Vries (Mercedes) completed the top 10.

Nil for the German drivers

Porsche experienced a debacle in Monaco, neither Pascal Wehrlein nor Andre Lotterer saw the chequered flag. This was particularly bitter for Wehrlein. Having started from second place, the German had taken the lead towards the middle of the race after being the last driver from the leading group to activate the first attack mode. Shortly afterwards, his car lost propulsion on lap 17 and eventually rolled out at the end of the tunnel.

Two laps later, Lotterer’s race was also over early. He collided with Oliver Rowland (Mahindra) at the St. Devote bend, hit the track barrier and retired. Rowland was also unable to continue the race.

The third German driver Maximilian Günther (Nissan-e.dams) did not finish either. After a good race, he was in sixth place for a while in the final phase. However, Günther ran out of energy on the last lap of the race. Shortly before the finish line he rolled out without propulsion and was ultimately classified in 17th place.

Vandoore first reserved, then dominant

Vandoorne had no such problems. “This is a great feeling. Monaco is a special race that every driver wants to win,” said the race winner. “We knew if we could get out in front in the beginning, we’d have a chance. We were flying today, many thanks to the team. “

After the start, the Belgian drove for a long time behind Evans, Wehrlein and Vergne in fourth place, saving energy. He took advantage of this towards the middle of the race to pass Vergne and then Evans after activating the first attack mode. The New Zealander was instructed by the pits to save energy after his first activation of the first attack mode.

After Wehrlein’s retirement and the subsequent full-course yellow phase, Vandoorne was a good 3.5 seconds ahead of Evans, but then “gave away” his second attack mode. Shortly after he had activated it, the safety car came onto the track following Lotterer’s accident.

Next stop: Double-Header in Berlin

But thanks to his strong pace, Vandoorne defended the lead after the restart. The decision was then made when Evans activated attack mode for the second time, dropping him from second to fourth. The New Zealander quickly overtook Frijns, but it took some effort to get past Vergne. After that, the Jaguar driver did not have enough time with the extra power of 30 kilowatts to close the gap to Vandoorne.

With his victory, Vandoorne also took the lead in the championship standings. With 81 points, Vandoorne has a six-point lead over Vergne (75). Evans (72) and Frijns (71) follow closely behind, which means that the top four of today’s race are also the top four in the championship standings.

Formula E continues in a fortnight (14 and 15 May) with the Berlin E-Prix. Formula E’s German guest appearance at the former Tempelhof Airport will be staged as a double-header with one race each on Saturday and Sunday.

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