The Michelin Pilot Sport EV lights up the Saudi sky

The Michelin Pilot Sport EV helped Nyck de Vries (Mercedes) and Sam Bird (Jaguar) to win the weekend’s two night-time Formula E e-prix in Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyad. Michelin was a founding partner of the championship in 2014.

The circuit in Diriyah is reputed for the low grip it provides because of the sand and dust that is frequently blown onto the city’s streets, so the Michelin Pilot Sport EV has to compensate for this deficit thanks to its outstanding mechanical grip if the Formula E drivers are to enjoy the full potential of their 300-horsepower, all-electric single-seater cars.

“The track was resurfaced recently,” observes Jérôme Mondain, manager of Michelin Motorsport’s Formula E programme. “Surprisingly, though, the new asphalt provided reasonable grip which, combined with the Michelin Pilot Sport EV’s consistency, ensured strong, lasting performance.”

Michelin is a founding partner of the FIA Formula E Championship (now an official FIA-sanctioned world championship) and the competition’s seventh season got away to a flying start with a brace of e-prix that took place after nightfall, a first in the series’ history.

Both races produced fierce fights between the eight competing manufacturers, all of which are actively involved in promoting electromobility and sustainable mobility. Michelin works alongside them in Formula E by providing them with a specific, exceptionally versatile and efficient tyre, with drivers only authorised to use to a small number of them at each meeting to help minimise the championship’s environmental footprint.

After securing the first pole position of the 2021 campaign, Dutchman Nyck de Vries went on to control Friday’s e-prix in his Mercedes/Michelin and claim his maiden win in the series. In doing so, he took Michelin’s score to 70 Formula E victories.

Saturday’s clash was halted after a spectacular crash involving Alex Lynn (Mahindra) who, happily, walked away unhurt. Briton Sam Bird took the win, his first in the colours of his new team, Jaguar Racing. The Pilot Sport EV-equipped Mercedes-EQ Silver Arrow 02s gave a glimpse of their potential by qualifying once on pole, winning one race and posting both fastest race laps.

The next round will take teams to Rome, Italy, on April 10.

Result – Race 1:

1. Nyck de Vries (Mercedes EQ FE Team), 32 laps

2. Edoardo Mortara (RoKit Venturi Racing), +4.119s

3. Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing), +4.619s

Result – Race 2:

1. Sam Bird (Jaguar Racing), 29 laps

2. Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing), +2.194s

3. Antonio Felix da Costa (DS Techeetah), +6.900s