Evans, Da Costa take honors at inaugural Formula E Shanghai E-Prix
It was a new experience for both drivers and fans as the inaugural Formula E Shanghai E-Prix double-header concluded at the Shanghai International Circuit over the weekend.
Mitch Evans led Nick Cassidy to another Jaguar TCS Racing double podium in Saturday's Round 11, while Porsche's Antonio Felix Da Costa claimed the top honor in Sunday's Round 12.
Antonio Felix Da Costa celebrates after winning the Formula E Round 12 race at the Shanghai International Circuit in suburban Jiading District on Sunday.
Sunday's race started in heat and humidity. McLaren's Jake Hughes, the pole-sitter, was overtaken by second-placed Stoffel Vandoorne of Penske at the first corner.
Andretti's Norman Nato and Porsche's Da Costa then took the lead in turn.
Da Costa, who started from third, had energy in-hand on his rivals at the front of the pack at the half-way stage. He gave full play to his defense skills to remain untouched before securing his second win of the season.
Antonio Felix Da Costa guides his Porsche during the race on Sunday.
"I'm super happy today and the car was in such a good window," said the Portuguese.
Hughes and Nato settled for second and third. It was the first podium of the season for both drivers.
On Saturday, Evans started from third on the grid, and quickly moved to the front by lap 7. By the halfway mark on lap 16, the Porsches, led by Pascal Wehrlein, dominated the field.
Antonio Felix Da Costa jumps out of the cockpit after the victory on Sunday.
Jaguars' superior energy management became evident in the latter part of the race, while Wehrlein, facing an energy deficit, employed very defensive tactic.
The decisive moment came on the final lap when Evans executed a daring outside pass on Wehrlein and grabbed the lead. Cassidy's last-second challenge on Wehrlein saw the latter settle for third.
With two more double-headers to go, Jaguar's Cassidy sits at the top of the drivers' standings on 167 points, a 25-point advantage over Porsche's Wehrlein. They are followed by Evans (132) and Nissan's Oliver Rowland (131).
Antonio Felix Da Costa is followed by Jake Hughes and Norman Nato.
Jaguar leads the teams' standings on 299 points, a 73-point advantage over Porsche.
The Shanghai double-header was more of a peloton-style competition, especially in the Saturday race, given the width of the track. Audiences got to see a lot of position changes, and the situation remained unclear because the distance between the cars was always too close.
"These wide-flowing circuits are designed for very high-speed and high-downforce, naturally-aspirated vehicles," McLaren's veteran driver Sam Bird told Shanghai Daily.
Mitch Evans won the Round 11 E-Prix on Saturday.
"The way we go racing with limited energy and the tow effect means it becomes a bit of a lottery," he noted. "But if the fans like it that's the most important thing."
The Briton has raced in the World Endurance Championship in Shanghai three times, but the experience was not of much help to him this weekend.
"I prefer (racing) in the city street circuits, that's where I think Formula E looks at its best," he added.
ERT's Sergio Sette Camara in action.
Most drivers agreed with Bird's views, including compatriot Dan Ticktum. Representing the only Chinese team on the grid, ERT, Ticktum and fellow driver Sergio Sette Camera enjoyed big support from the local crowd.
"The race actually turned out to be a bit more difficult than I expected," Ticktum told Shanghai Daily. "It was a good peloton but the overtaking is harder here, to be honest."
Fans watch a BMX performer at the Fan Village.
"The car is not designed for this track, but for street circuits. It has no downforce and the grip is low," he explained.
But Ticktum was willing to take up the challenge and experience something different.
"Street circuits are more enjoyable, but I don't think this is bad, just (there is) less margin," he said. "In these long corners, personally I quite like it. There is a lot of on throttle off brake and the car is moving around a lot, but I think it's a good test of drivers' car control ability."
The distance between the cars was close at the Shanghai International Circuit.
Ticktum failed to collect any points in Shanghai, and is currently 17th in the drivers' standings with 12 points. "Hopefully we will have a better car for next year, so I'm just being patient and remain positive," he said.
For many spectators at the Shanghai International Circuit in suburban Jiading District, the double-header was their very first Formula E experience.
ERT was the only Chinese team on the grid.
"I wanted to buy Formula One tickets, which were sold out too soon, so I bought Formula E tickets for me and my son," spectator Wang Yi said.
"I had not watched Formula E before, so I did some research and studied some rules before coming," he added. "With the limited noise, it suits the kids, too."
According to organizers, more than 20,000 fans attended the Shanghai E-Prix over the weekend.
Antonio Felix Da Costa drives past the main stand.
