Di Grassi takes FE points lead with Montreal victory

Lucas di Grassi moved into the lead of the Formula E drivers' championship for the first time this season with a dominant victory in Saturday's opening race in Montreal.

Di Grassi arrived in Montreal trailing season-long leader Sebastien Buemi by 10 points, but was able to reduce the gap to seven by taking pole earlier in the day.

Buemi was resigned to start 12th on the grid after a battery change triggered a 10-place grid drop, and made a slow getaway to drop back to 17th.

Contact with Robin Frijns left Buemi with minor damage to his steering column, but the Swiss racer was able to battle his way back up the order.

Di Grassi, meanwhile, was able to pull out a healthy lead at the front of the pack, running four seconds clear following the car swaps that were brought around early by a full course yellow.

Buemi entered the pits running eighth behind di Grassi's team-mate, Daniel Abt, and felt he was being held up on the run towards their garages. Buemi was able to get the jump, albeit with a tight squeeze at pit exit, only for Abt to then run into the back of him when they got off the pit limiter, frustrating the title fighter again.

Once the race returned to full speed, Buemi was able to gain more positions, rising up to fourth in the closing stages and latching onto the back of Stephane Sarrazin in third. Di Grassi was also embroiled in a battle, coming under pressure from Jean-Eric Vergne for the race lead.

Di Grassi was able to hold on and secure victory ahead of Vergne, while Sarrazin kept Buemi back despite contact to complete the podium.

Taking fourth, Buemi heads into the final race of the year trailing in the points for the first time, sitting six back from di Grassi.

The biggest talking point came after the race when Buemi publicly argued with Antonio Felix da Costa, Frijns and Abt over their in-race incidents in the pit lane, showing clear signs of pressure.

Abt was able to cross the line fifth for ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport, ensuring the fight for the teams' championship continues through to Sunday, while Sam Bird fought from 18th on the grid to finish sixth for DS Virgin Racing.

Nicolas Prost wound up seventh for Renault e.dams ahead of Mitch Evans and Frijns, while Felix Rosenqvist completed the points for Mahindra, having fallen from fourth to P10 after hitting the wall and damaging his steering.

The Formula E season finale takes place in Montreal on Sunday at 9pm BST.