d’Ambrosio wins in Marrakesh with dramatic last lap dash as BMW pair collide

• Da Costa and Sims crash out of leading position for BMW i Andretti Motorsport
• d’Ambrosio makes moves for Mahindra Racing from 10th on the grid
• Envision Virgin Racing earn double-podium with Vergne spinning in first-corner clash

Jérôme d’Ambrosio sprinted to victory in a dramatic last lap dash to the finish in Marrakesh, after a late safety car bunched-up the pack following a collision between BMW i Andretti Motorsport pairing Antonio Felix da Costa and Alexander Sims. 

Despite picking up his third victory in Formula E, it’s the first time d’Ambrosio has actually stood on the top step of the podium, having benefitted from a post-race disqualification on both previous occasions.

The win marks his first win since the Mexico City E-Prix in 2016 – and his first in Mahindra Racing colours. d’Ambrosio started down the field in 10th, but steadily progressed up the ranks to find himself behind the leading BMW duo. 

With less than 10 minutes left on the countdown clock, Da Costa and Sims looked set to bring home a one-two for the team, topping off a perfect start to the season after a win last time out in Ad Diriyah. 

However, it wasn’t meant to be, as a moment of madness cost the team a large points haul. Sims – who was on the tail of his teammate for the duration of the race – pulled alongside Da Costa into the braking zone of Turn 7 in an attempt to snatch the lead. 

Both drivers locked up and touched with neither making the corner. The coming together and slow recovery back to the racing line dropped Sims to fourth, but Da Costa came off worse with his race ending parked up in the run-off area after contact with the barrier. 

With the cars lined up in close formation, the safety car pulled in as the clock hit zero, leaving one lap to the chequered flag. Running wide over the kerb in the final corner, d’Ambrosio gave the fans a grandstand finish with Robin Frijns chasing him to the line. 

Frijns was joined on the podium by Envision Virgin Racing teammate Sam Bird, who started on Julius Baer pole position and tangled with reigning champion Jean-Eric Vergne on the run down to Turn 1.

Vergne lined up on the front row alongside Bird and made an ambitious dive up the inside through the long left-hander. The pair made contact and Vergne was sent spinning ahead of a flurry of oncoming traffic. From last, Vergne valiantly fought back to fifth.

Adrenaline still flowing after an exhilarating race, there’s not long to wait for another episode of electric street racing with the Antofagasta Minerals Santiago E-Prix on 26 January– round three of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship.

2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship

Jérôme d’Ambrosio MAHINDRA RACING 40

Antonio Felix da Costa BMW i Andretti Motorsport 28

Jean-Eric Vergne DS TECHEETAH 28

Andre Lotterer DS TECHEETAH 19

Robin Frijns Envision Virgin Racing 18

Sam Bird Envision Virgin Racing 18

Mitch Evans Panasonic Jaguar Racing 14

Alexander Sims BMW i Andretti Motorsport 12

Sebastien Buemi Nissan e.dams 12

Lucas di Grassi Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler 9

 

Team standings

DS TECHEETAH 47

MAHINDRA RACING 40

BMW i Andretti Motorsport 40

Envision Virgin Racing 36

Nissan e.dams 18

Panasonic Jaguar Racing 15

Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler 14