15.7.2019. Audi has made the formula E up to the last round exciting. The Team Audi Sport ABT, Schaeffler has secured at the final round in New York for the Vice-championship in the electric racing series. Audi driver Lucas di Grassi finished the season 2018/2019 in third place in the drivers ‘ championship. The last race Robin Frijns in the Audi e-tron FE05-of-the-customer team Envision Virgin Racing won the third place in the team championship.
The first season with the new Gen2 race car what is full of tension, drama and variety. In 13 races on five continents, there were nine different winners of the eight Teams. Ten different drivers have stood on the Pole Position. Before the last race in New York, four driver and three team’s chances of winning the title still had.
With five Victories in the Audi e-tron FE05 of the most successful formula E racing car of the season. Ten Podiums, one Pole Position and eight extra points for the fastest lap of the race go to the account of the FE05, whose greatest strength what is his efficient drive.
The Team Audi Sport Schaeffler ABBOT would be managed on the final weekend, almost, to secure, as in the previous year, in the final sprint the team standings. 24 points, picked up Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi in the two races in New York on DS Techeetah. In the end, only 19 points short of a successful title defence.
“The whole Team has fought to the last and gave everything,” said team boss Allan McNish. “It was scary almost. We have taken DS Techeetah as last year in the finals, a lot of points, but this Time it has not been enough to the team title. I’m still proud of the Team that has put so much hard work, energy and determination in this season. This determination we take in season six. We are already looking forward to the first race in November.“
Audi Motorsport boss Dieter Gass: “It was an exciting season with UPS and Downs for each. We have fought in the last race for both Championships, and it went to the finish line. For the factory team, the last race is not run according to your wishes. But our customer team Envision Virgin Racing has managed to win the race. So they are behind us in third place in the team championship. This is a very good result for Audi.“
Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler has been in every season of the best three of the overall standings. The same is true for Lucas di Grassi, who secured the championship title in the season 2016/2017 and the two Vice-Championships for the second Time, the third place in the drivers ‘ standings of the electric racing series.
In the last race, the Brazilian fought his way from the eleventh starting spot to seventh, ahead, before, he was nearing the goal of Jaguar Pilot Mitch Evans pressed into the wall and had to give up. “The accident has changed luckily, nothing on the result in the championship,” said the two-time season winner. “I am proud to be in the fifth year in a row in the Top Three come. Thanks to Audi, ABT and Schaeffler for such a great Team.“
Daniel Abt made it in New York on both days in Qualifying, the Superpole and the fastest six. He repeated both times the extra point for the fastest lap and in the race on Sunday in the fifth place. “More was not possible today,” said the Abbot. “It was a good end to a tough season. Of course we wanted to win the team championship, but to be in such a highly competitive championship, Second, to the fact everyone can be in the Team proud.“
Robin Frijns of the customer team Envision Virgin Racing celebrated in New York, his second victory in formula E. The Dutchman overtook the Pole Position, launched BMW of Alexander Sims, with a spectacular maneuver in Turn 1 and then took a dominant win. Team-mate Sam Bird completed the strong result with fourth place.
Lucas di Grassi (photo: Audi Communications Motorsport / Michael Kunkel)
