In a thrilling and rain-soaked race at the ExCeL London circuit, Envision Racing driver Nick Cassidy emerged victorious, leading from start to finish. Despite a fierce challenge from Jaguar’s Mitch Evans, Cassidy showcased his skill and determination to secure the win and propel Envision Racing to the top of the teams’ championship. Sebastien Buemi’s sixth-place finish further solidified Envision’s position, leaving Jaguar trailing behind in the final race of the Formula E season.
Pole Position and Points Advantage
Cassidy’s path to victory started with a crucial pole position, narrowly snatching it away from Saturday’s London E-Prix winner, Mitch Evans. However, it was the three points Cassidy earned that truly shaped the race for Envision Racing, allowing them to take the lead in the teams’ standings before the start of the race. The stage was set for an intense showdown on the unique indoor/outdoor circuit.
As heavy rain poured outside the main arena, the field began the race behind the safety car. Race director Scot Elkins decided that several laps would be required before a standing start on the grid. However, after a few laps, the safety car was brought out again, prompting a temporary stoppage of the race. Despite the efforts of track officials to clear the water, a second red flag was necessary due to persistent hazardous conditions.
After a significant delay and with the rain subsiding, the race finally resumed. On lap eight, the action got underway with a rolling start. Cassidy and Evans immediately showcased their dominance, breaking away from the pursuing pack. Jake Dennis, the newly crowned champion, found himself stuck behind Norman Nato but eventually managed to move ahead after Nato activated his first Attack Mode.
The leading trio, all contenders for the title, utilized their Attack Mode activations within the first eight laps. In the wet conditions, the importance of energy-saving diminished, as their focus shifted to maintaining control on the treacherous track. The gap between Cassidy and Evans seldom exceeded 3 seconds, stabilizing around the 2.5-second mark. Meanwhile, Dennis fell more than 10 seconds behind, struggling to keep up.
A Satisfying Victory and Championship Triumph
With an extended safety car period, four extra laps were added to the race. Evans started to lose ground, finishing nearly 5 seconds behind Cassidy at the checkered flag. Dennis secured the final podium position, 11 seconds adrift. Norman Nato and Stoffel Vandoorne claimed fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Behind them, Sebastien Buemi made a decisive move around the outside of Turn 1 on lap 26, overtaking Sam Bird and cementing Envision Racing’s hold on the teams’ championship. With a comfortable 12-point lead, Envision Racing celebrated their well-deserved victory.
In a testament to the drivers’ skills and the resilience of the Formula E cars, all 22 competitors completed the race without any yellow flag periods. Nico Muller secured eighth place under intense pressure from Dan Ticktum, while Pascal Wehrlein rounded off the top ten for Porsche.
Final Thoughts
The Formula E London E-Prix II delivered an unforgettable spectacle, marked by challenging weather conditions and fierce competition. Envision Racing showcased their excellence, earning both the race victory and the teams’ championship. With a season filled with thrilling races, Formula E continues to captivate fans and prove itself as the pinnacle of electric racing.
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