On a tumultuous race day filled with inconsistency and unpredictable weather conditions, Stoffel Vandoorne and his team made a crucial decision moments before the race was halted, which ultimately played a significant role in his victory. Restarting from the pole position, Vandoorne managed to maintain his lead and clinch his third Formula E win, with Oliver Rowland from Nissan coming in second and McLaren rookie Taylor Barnard finishing third.
The cancellation of qualifying due to persistent rain, a first in Formula E history, saw the starting grid determined by FP2 times. This put championship leader Rowland in the front row, followed by Edoardo Mortara, Norman Nato, and Barnard in the top positions.
Despite worsening weather conditions, including heavy rain, the high winds aided in drying the track surface as the race progressed. After several sightseeing laps behind the safety car, a standing start was eventually initiated, adding a strategic element to the already challenging race.
Vandoorne’s team executed a well-timed Pit Boost strategy, making an early charge and gaining an advantage that was further solidified when a red car status incident occurred on track, benefiting the Belgian driver. Meanwhile, a risky call by Andretti involving Jake Dennis led to a penalty for pit entry misjudgment, affecting their race outcome.
With Guenther’s car issue and Dennis’s penalty creating additional drama, Vandoorne managed to maintain his lead until the end, narrowly missing a flawless victory due to a minor spin. Nevertheless, the 2021-22 champion showcased his dominance and secured a well-deserved win in an eventful race.
