Brits rule in London on Michelin rubber

The 2021 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s London races were won by Britons Jake Dennis (BMW I Andretti Motorsport) and Alex Lynn (Mahindra Racing). The last appearance of the all-electric competition’s MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV-equipped cars this season will be the finale in Berlin, Germany, on August 14-15.

Formula E celebrated its first visit to the British capital since 2016 with a new venue that combined indoor and outdoor action at the city’s ExCel exhibition center. The technically-challenging track provided plenty of drama, with numerous spectacular collisions and passing moves.

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV provided yet another demonstration of its versatility in London, especially during free practice when the outdoors section was wet and the covered indoors portion entirely dry. Given that Formula E’s regulations only authorize a single tire for the entire season, the MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV was designed from the outset to cover all types of weather, just like the MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV which the brand markets for electric and hybrid road cars.

Dennis, the winner of Race 1, and Lynn, who imitated his compatriot the following day, were both understandably thrilled to win their home rounds, but it proved a good weekend too for Dutchmen Nyck de Vries and Robin Frijns who have moved into commanding positions in the provisional standings ahead of the season’s finale in Berlin.

The weekend’s first e-prix saw Lynn get away strongly from pole position but he was forced to relinquish the lead to Dennis who was aided by BMW’s smart Attack Mode strategy. De Vries clinched second spot thanks to some superb overtaking maneuvers.

The early part of the second e-prix was dominated by pole-winner Stoffel Vandoorne until a tangle with second-placed Oliver Rowland (Nissan e.dams) put Lynn in front, albeit on paper, because Lucas di Grassi managed to take the lead by driving through the pit-lane during a safety car period, a tactic that was judged illicit by the stewards. The Brazilian was ultimately black-flagged, allowing Lynn to collect his first-ever Formula E victory and earn Mahindra Racing’s first success in in two seasons.

The London weekend saw the distance completed by Formula E’s 20 different Michelin-equipped winners since the championship’s creation in 2014 pass the threshold of 7,000 kilometers. Michelin is a founding partner of the series.

Season 7 will conclude with a double-header finale in Berlin, Germany, on August 14-15.

Race 1 – Final positions:

1. Jake Dennis (BMW I Andretti Motorsport), 33 laps

2. Nyck de Vries (Mercedes EQ Formula E Team), +5.341s

3. Alex Lynn (Mahindra Racing), +6.946s

4. André Lotterer (TAG Heuer Porsche FE Team), +10.699s

5. René Rast (Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler), +11.427s

Etc.

Race 2 – Final positions:

1. Alex Lynn (Mahindra Racing), 30 laps

2. Nyck de Vries (Mercedes EQ Formula E Team), +0.599s

3. Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing), +6.257s

4. Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing), +6.682s

5. Pascal Werhlein (TAG Heuer Porsche FE Team), +9.212s

Etc.