source: Audi Sport
- Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler without fortune in Formula E in Marrakesh
- Daniel Abt still scores one point after drive-through penalty
- Title defender Lucas di Grassi retired
Marrakesh –
In round three of the Formula E electric racing series in Marrakesh (Morocco), following a strong beginning, Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler only went home with a single point. Daniel Abt, after a drive-through penalty and a full course yellow which came at an unfavorable time, finished the race in 10th position. Title defender Lucas di Grassi had to park his Audi e-tron FE04 in the pits after only seven laps due to a technical problem.
“This was not our day today and not the result that would have been possible,” said Team Principal Allan McNish. “We had fast cars but Lucas’ race was over far too early following a technical issue that we still need to analyze. Almost at the same time, Daniel had a collision with Alex Lynn that was a racing accident in my view. He received a drive-through nevertheless. Even after that, he was still running strong but the full course yellow cost him 35 seconds and deprived him of all chances.”
The two free practice sessions in the morning showed what would have been possible for Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler in Marrakesh. In session one, Lucas di Grassi set the best time and in session two, both Audi e-tron FE04 cars with Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi were at the front of the field. Qualifying started in a promising way as well. Although Lucas di Grassi had to go out on track in the unfavorable first group, in 2nd position, he managed to qualify for the “Super Pole” of the five fastest. However, from that moment on, Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler was out of luck in North Africa.
Daniel Abt was on course for a best time in qualifying when he was forced to end his lap due to another driver’s accident. The German was allowed to repeat his lap but then only had one instead of two warm-up laps and, as a result, had to settle for grid position eight. Lucas di Grassi began his Super Pole lap with a strong first sector but was subsequently slowed by a technical issue.
