Mahindra’s d’Ambrosio: ‘Real' FE victory feels "amazing"

Mahindra Racing’s Jerome d’Ambrosio has hailed the “amazing” feeling of claiming his first on-the-road FIA Formula E race win at the Marrakesh E-Prix.

The ex-Virgin and Lotus Formula 1 driver had inherited his previous two wins in the all-electric series following post-race disqualifications for Audi driver Lucas di Grassi at the 2015 Berlin E-Prix and in Mexico City the following season.

But at the second round of the 2018/19 campaign in Marrakesh, d’Ambrosio carved his way through the field from 10th on the grid and took advantage of a collision between BMW teammates Antonio Felix da Costa and Alexander Sims to seal an unlikely victory.

“This is a real win,” d’Ambrosio said after the race.

“That felt amazing, I’ve been fighting to be in this position and I’m so thankful to the team. The race was really hard-fought and incredibly intense. At least that’s what it felt like from inside the cockpit.

"I knew I could achieve a top-five result as the race pace was amazing in Ad Diriyah and here also. A couple of things played-out to our advantage and winning this race means a lot for the team and the hard work over the past few weeks.”

The Belgian, who switched from Dragon to join Mahindra for season five, has already nearly doubled his 2017/18 points tally and now leads the FE drivers’ standings after securing back-to-back podiums.

“Last year was tough, we had some tough moments so I’m happy I can pay my team back for giving me a ride,” he explained.

“This is an amazing way to finish the second race. I’m so happy for the team; everyone has worked so hard and I’m proud to be a part of Mahindra Racing.

“I’m really happy and it’s great to be leading the championship early on. It’s a good motivational tool for everyone and now we have to keep on working hard.”

Mahindra team principal Dilbagh Gill credited d’Ambrosio for turning in a “mature” and “clever” drive during a hectic race.

“I am absolutely thrilled with the win,” Gill said.

“Marrakesh is definitely a special place for us and to win here two years in a row is something that I’m very proud of.

“The whole team did a fantastic day today and Jerome drove a mature, brilliant race to give us this win.

“We had a great strategy and used Attack Mode in some clever places. Jerome put himself in a very good position to take the advantage when it mattered.”