Frijns wins spectacular Paris E-Prix

The Paris E-Prix produced the 2018/2019 ABB FIA Formula E Championship’s eighth winner in as many races as Dutchman Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing/Michelin) took the day’s spoils, ahead of André Lotterer (DS Techeetah/Michelin). Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler/Michelin’s Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi were third and fourth

Round 8 of the 2018/2019 Formula E Championship in Paris provided spectators with plenty of action and drama as changing weather swept over the French capital.

The track was dry for the start but heavy rain began to fall on Lap 13, prompting Race Control to declare a brief Full Course Yellow period. The race was neutralised a second time shortly afterwards when several drivers either tangled or smacked into the barriers.

The green flag was brandished with two minutes remaining, but action was interrupted once more when the championship leader Jérôme d’Ambrosio (Mahindra Racing) found himself in trouble on the track.

As all these incidents unfolded, though, Frijns kept a cool head to claim the first Formula E victory of his career.

The 2019 Paris E-Prix turned out to be a particularly challenging exercise for the Michelin Pilot Sport tyres which were tasked with not only providing grip during the downpour but also coping with the numerous interruptions which saw their temperature fall. Thankfully, the drivers were able to count on Michelin Pilot Sport’s fast warm-up performance each time action resumed.

Second past the chequered flag was Lotterer, chased by Audi Sport team-mates Abt and di Grassi. Max Gunther (Geox Dragon) rounded out the afternoon’s top five, while Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah) recovered from a poor grid position to claim sixth place.

The next round of the 2018/2019 FIA Formula E Championship will take teams to the streets of Monaco on Saturday, May 11.

Paris E-Prix – final positions:

1. Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing), 32 laps

2. André Lotterer (DS Techeetah), +1.373s

3. Daniel Abt (Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler), +3.175s

4. Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler), +3.666s

5. Max Gunther (Geox Dragon), +5.456s

6. Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah), +6.694s

7. Antonio Felix da Costa (BMW I Andretti Motorsport), +7.238s

8. Gary Paffett (HWA Racelab), +7.901s

9. Felipe Massa (Venturi Formula E Team), +10.522s

10. Pascal Wehrlein (Mahindra Racing), +10.998s

Etc.