source: Audi Sport
- Fifth position for the German in first E-Prix in Sanya
- Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler just one point short of top spot in the standings
- Lucas di Grassi taken out of the race by a collision not of his own doing
Audi driver Daniel Abt also scored points in the sixth E-Prix of the season. As a result of his fifth place in Sanya (China), Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler made up further ground in the teams’ classification of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Before the European season of Formula E starts in Rome (Italy) on April 13, the title defenders are only one point behind the front runners.
His teammate, Lucas di Grassi, fought back from sixth on the grid in his Audi e-tron FE05 and was directly behind Abt when he was taken out of the race by a collision caused by Sébastien Buemi on the penultimate lap. “That was extremely frustrating, because today we could have taken the championship lead,” said the Brazilian. “Up until that point, it was a great race.”
“Toward the end, some drivers put their elbows out much more than it should be,” said Team Principal Allan McNish. “This put Lucas completely out of the race and Daniel was muscled out of the way. The result is a bit disappointing for us, because we had the performance, the drivers and the strategy for more.”
Audi’s customer team Envision Virgin Racing went home from Sanya without any points. Sam Bird and Robin Frijns both retired due to collisions.
Schedule Formula E 2017/2018
15/12 Ad Diriyah (SA)
12/01 Marrakesh (MA)
26/01 Santiago (RCH)
16/02 Mexico City (MEX)
10/03 Hongkong (HK)
23/03 Sanya (CHN)
13/04 Rome (I)
27/04 Paris (F)
11/05 Monaco (MC)
25/05 Berlin (D)
22/06 Bern (CH)
13/07 New York (USA)
14/07 New York (USA)
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