Abt: Berlin Formula E victory most important of career

Daniel Abt has hailed his crushing Formula E victory in Saturday’s Berlin E-Prix as the most important of his racing career as he led Audi to a one-two finish at its home race.

Following his maiden Formula E win in Mexico earlier this year, Abt charged to his second pole position in the series in qualifying before leading every lap en route to victory, finishing six seconds clear of Audi teammate Lucas di Grassi.

By leading every lap and setting the fastest lap of the race from pole en route to victory, Abt’s performance was statistically the most dominant since Sebastien Buemi’s Beijing success in October 2015, when the Swiss driver produced the same feat.

The result also kept Abt’s faint title hopes alive, with the German driver running 77 points back from championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne with 87 remaining in the final three races of the season.

“That was probably the most important win of my career so far and an incredible day from beginning to end,” Abt said.

“Maximum points with pole position, victory and the fastest lap and then on top of this a one-two for Audi – my thanks go to everybody who supported us. Today there will be a party like never before!”

“It was a fantastic race for us,” added head of Audi motorsport Dieter Gass. “The first one-two for Audi since the Formula E factory program started and the first ever for the team – and all this in the home race!

“Daniel achieved the maximum possible and Lucas made the day perfect for us. My congratulations go to everybody who has worked so hard for this. It’s very rare that you see such a big advantage in a Formula E race.”

The result also lifted Audi up to second in the teams’ championship, running 44 points back from Techeetah.

The Formula E season will continue with the Zurich E-Prix on June 10.