di Grassi dominates in Berlin

Formula E Championship leader dominated the Berlin ePrix to win his second race this season, and cement himself at the top of the standings. The Brazilian managed to overtake pole-sitter Jarno Trulli on the opening lap as his teammate Daniel Abt caused the only bit of drama with a spin on the first corner. Early on in the race, power management expert Nelson Piquet managed to pass Sarrazin for 9th using FanBoost. The other FanBoost winners for Piquet’s NEXTEV racing teammate Charles Pic and e.Dams’ Buemi. Race leader Di Grassi pulled out almost a second per lap whilst also equalling the power levels used by the other cars behind. On lap 7, Buemi managed to use his FanBoost successfully to overtake Trulli in 2nd place. Trulli then started to fall drastically down the order with Heidfeld, D’Ambrosio, teammate Liuzzi, Duval, Piquet, and Sarrazin all making moves within 2 laps. A racing looking D’Ambrosio made a daring pass on Heidfeld on lap 12 promoting him into 3rd place. On lap 18 everybody except the NEXTEV cars pitted. Piquet and Pic had managed their power levels better than everybody and had a full lap left. D’Ambrosio was the biggest winner in the stops jumping Prost for 2nd. Piquet and Pic rejoined a lap later, with Piquet in 6th place. At the second phase of the race after the pitstops, the cars usually are able to use more power. The racing after the podium spots was close. Heidfeld did make a lunge at Buemi for 3rd, but couldn’t make it stick and was unable to challenge afterward. In the closing laps Piquet used the FanBoost on his second car to take 6th place for Sarrazin. Heidfeld dropped back to 6th place after being overtaken by Duval and Piquet. It was a disappointing day for Trulli who eventually retired on the final lap from last place. Both Aguri’s and Bruno Senna received drive thru penalties for breaching the minimum pitlane time whilst Jean-Eric Vergne will be investigated after the race.

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