Lucas DiGrassi took a serene win, his first of the season. He crossed the line just 7.5 seconds ahead of Sam Bird, who has cut Jean Eric Vergne’s championship lead to just 23 points ahead of the final race weekend of the season. 

Earlier today, Mitch Evans managed to put his Jaguar on pole position for the first time in his Formula E career with a time of 1:12.811s. He managed to beat Techeetah’s Andre Lotterer by 0.137s.

Sam Bird, who is sitting second in the championship after his victory in Rome, set the third fastest time, while Jean Eric Vergne, the title leader, could only set the 17th fastest time.

As the lights went out, Evans lead the field with ease; after four laps, his lead was up to 1.5s as the following riders took a defensive stance. However, he complained that his cockpit was “super hot”, suggesting he had technical difficulties. These difficulties became evident when, on lap 17, when di Grassi was able to cruise past him for the lead as Evan’s tried to save energy.

Despite starting in sixth, di Grassi stormed through the grid, passing Jerome D’Ambrosio, Sam Bird and Andre Lotterer with ease on his way to snatch the lead. By the time the chequered flag fell, he was 7.542s ahead of the pack.

Di Grassi wasn’t the only driver making waves, as championship leader Jean Eric Vergnefought his way through the grid as he attempted to save his championship lead. He started 17th, but by lap nine he was in the points scoring positions.

His efforts were halted, however, when his car stalled in the pits leaving him stationary for a painful 12 seconds. He came out in ninth and was left to start all over again. He kept the pressure on his fellow racers and fought his was back up.

The podium was completed by Briton’s Sam Bird and Jerome d’Amborisio for the first time this season. Both drivers were saved by key players being slapped with a driver-through penalty for speeding under a full course yellow. Mitch Evans, Andre Lotterer, Sebastian Buemi and Jose Maria Lopez were initialled fined, and Jean Eric Vergne later joined the party.

These penalties also allowed drivers such as Nick Heidfeld and Oliver Turvey to salvage some points after a disappointing weekend, finishing in sixth and ninth respectively. After his impressive pole, Evans was forced back to finish in a disappointing seventh, ahead of Felix Da Costa, who secured his first points finished since Mexico.

Sadly home favourite, Edoardo Mortara was the first race retirement, competing only six laps before clipping the kerb through the tram stop.

After first lap drama saw Nelson Piquet Jr slamming in to the back of Daniel Abt, scattering the German’s rear wing across the tarmac, he eventually retired on lap 20.

Nico Prost was the final retirement as he locked the breaks and journey in to the wall for a high speed collision on lap 31.

After the chaos caused by various penalties, Sam Bird was able to reduce the championship fight from 40 points, to just 23 ahead of the final race weekend of the season.

The grid will be back out in action for the double-header in New York on the 7th and 8th of July. Overtake Motorsport will have all the action and results for you.

Feature Image Credit: Audi Formula E twitter