After a skilful use of attack mode, Edoardo Mortara wins the second Formula E race in Riyadh: Porsche driver Andre Lotterer good fourth
Edoardo Mortara (Venturi) won the second race of the 2022 Formula E World Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. In an at times turbulent race that ended behind the safety car after an accident by Alexander Sims (Mahindra), Mortara triumphed after 35 laps ahead of Robin Frijns (Envision) and his teammate Lucas di Grassi.
Andre Lotterer (Porsche) finished a strong fourth ahead of Jake Dennis (Andretti) and Jean-Eric Vergne (DS-Techeetah). Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes), Oliver Rowland (Mahindra), Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) and pole-sitter Nyck de Vreis (Mercedes) completed the top 10, which Maximilian Günther (Nissan-e.dams) missed in 15th.
For Mortara, it was his third Formula E victory, while di Grassi extended his record with his 36th Formula E podium finish. However, it was the first podium for the Brazilian that he did not take for Audi.
Motrara makes the most of attack mode
At the beginning, the race had been very orderly. De Vries, who had won the race on Friday, took the lead from pole position. Behind them Mortara, Frijns, di Grassi and Lotterer also lined up in the order in which they had started.
.@edomortara passes teammate @LucasdiGrassi using ATTACK MODE and picks up the lead of the #DiriyahEPrix ⚡️
Follow LIVE timing here 👉 https://t.co/NqfsxKU5B4 pic.twitter.com/aH2jtRW2VW
— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) January 29, 2022
Motion came to the field shortly before race half-time during the second activations of attack mode. On lap 15, this saw Mortara initially drop behind di Grassi and Frijns to fourth. Shortly afterwards di Grassi overtook de Vries in a rustic manner including contact in turn 19.
Then it was Mortara’s turn, who overtook Frijns, then de Vries and finally di Grassi to take the lead, which he would not relinquish until he crossed the finish line.
After strong start, race to forget for de Vries
De Vries still had an arrow in his quiver at this point, as he was the only rider in the leading group with an attack mode left. He activated this on lap 22, whereupon he dropped back to fourth position behind Frijns. Afterwards, however, he was unable to overtake his compatriot despite the extra power.
On lap 25, things got even worse for the defending champion. While trying to fend off an attack by Vergne, de Vries collided with the Frenchman and subsequently dropped back to ninth place, which he later lost to Wehrlein.
Reigning world champion and yesterdays race winner @nyckdevries has dropped back to P9 😱
This race is far from over!
Follow LIVE timing here 👉 https://t.co/NqfsxKU5B4
🇸🇦 2022 #DiriyahEPrix | @MercedesEQFE pic.twitter.com/WV1GvucT2K
— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) January 29, 2022
Mortara was no longer in danger at the front. For a long time it looked like a one-two for the Mercedes customer team Venturi, but on lap 28 Frijns slipped past di Grassi. Two laps later Sims crashed. As the recovery of his car was delayed, the race was not reopened.
With his victory, Mortara also took the lead in the championship standings with 33 points. His pursuers there are de Vries (29 points), Vandoorne (28) as well as Dennis and di Grassi (25 each).
Formula E continues on 12 February with the E-Prix of Mexico. This season, the event will once again be held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, after Formula E moved to Puebla last year.
