The Michelin Pilot Sport EV revels in Rome’s mixed conditions!

The acclaimed versatility of Michelin’s Formula E tire helped Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah) and Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes-Benz EQ) to win the Rome weekend’s two e-prix which were marked by unsettled weather.

Ever since the championship’s first steps in 2014, Formula E has only allowed a single type of tire, so it needed to be capable of performing whatever the weather. This prerequisite saw Michelin – a partner of the series from the outset – develop a truly versatile solution that delivers in dry and wet conditions alike.

Today, the Pilot Sport EV road tires that equip the most powerful full-electric and hybrid production cars benefit directly from the innovative technology employed by their current-generation Formula E counterparts.

Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2021 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Rome, Italy, took place to a backdrop of unsettled weather, with Saturday’s clash starting in drizzle, and free practice for Sunday’s e-prix marked by rain, along with some lingering damp portions during the early part of the race itself.

True to its calling, however, the Michelin Pilot Sport EV provided the necessary grip for the drivers to provide a quality, entertaining show through the Italian capital’s bumpy, technically-demanding streets.

“The conditions turned out to be tricky all weekend,” reports Jérôme Mondain, the manager of Michelin Motorsport’s Formula E program. “That was due not only to the weather but also to the characteristics of the circuit itself which featured a mix of blind corners and bumpy braking zones, many of which included slippery pedestrian crossings. A real street circuit. Thanks to the performance of our Formula E tire, though, we were treated to plenty of action and suspense.”

Race 1 was won by Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne who notched up his 10th victory in the championship at the wheel of his new DS E-Tense FE21 which had been rebuilt by DS Techeetah’s mechanics following a big crash in practice earlier the same day. Brazil’s Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler) was denied top-spot by a late technical issue which allowed Jaguar Racing’s Sam Bird and Mitch Evans to pick up second and third places.

The resolve of Mercedes-Benz EQ and Belgium’s Stoffel Vandoorne was rewarded on Sunday after their pole-winning qualifying effort for the first e-prix was wasted because of a crash. The Belgian’s Race 2 bid was aided when the Attack-Mode-charge of rival Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche) was cancelled out by a Full Course Yellow period that helped the Mercedes driver to take command. Wehrlein ultimately had to settle for third, behind Alexander Sims (Mahindra Racing). The championship leader Sam Bird (Jaguar Racing) was caught in a tangle on the afternoon’s final lap.

Teams will travel next to Valencia, Spain, for Round 5 of the 2021 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on April 24.

Race 1 – Final standings:

1. Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah), 24 laps

2. Sam Bird (Jaguar Racing), +0.461s

3. Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing), +0.756s

4. Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing), +1.034s

5. Sébastien Buemi (Nissan e.dams), +3.142s

Etc.

Race 2 – Final standings:

1. Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes EQ FE Team),

2. Alexander Sims (Mahindra Racing), +0.666s

3. Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche FE Team), +2.346s

4. Edoardo Mortara (Rokit Venturi Racing), +5.018s

5. Maximilian Günther (Andretti Autosport), +5.305s

Etc.