Lynn takes maiden Formula E win in London as di Grassi is penalised
In what was a typically chaotic race in Formula E, Lynn stormed to his maiden win. Di Grassi took the victory on track after taking the lead of the race by going through the pit lane under the second Safety Car.
Article 38.7 of Formula E’s 2020-21 sporting regulations state: “The pit lane entry and exit remain open and cars are free to pit provided that they stop in front of their pit.” Di Grassi was eighth under the Safety Car but due to the pit lane being so short, the Brazilian was allowed to jump everyone and take the lead ahead of Mercedes’ Stoffel Vandoorne.
The stewards deemed di Grassi’s actions to be illegal and thus awarded him a drive-through penalty. He didn’t serve and was given the black flag, disqualifying from the race.
Confusingly, di Grassi was classified eighth so this one still needs to be resolved as Audi boss Allan McNish believes the team did nothing wrong. With di Grassi bumped down the order, de Vries claimed second behind Lynn to take the lead of the championship.
De Vries was running behind teammate Vandoorne when Oliver Rowland clattered into the side of the Belgian into Turn 10. Mercedes was on course for a 1-2 finish until Vandoorne’s race was ruined by Rowland, who was given a five-second time penalty for the incident.
Mitch Evans completed the podium for Jaguar in what was a fighting drive from the Kiwi to get his season back on track. Virgin’s Robin Frijns and Pascal Wehrlein’s Porsche completed the top five, ahead of BMW Maximilian Gunther.
Nick Cassidy was seventh ahead of di Grassi, Sergio Sette Camara and Jake Dennis, who had to take a drive-through penalty late on. It was a dramatic race in the midfield as the first Safety Car was deployed due to Sebastien Buemi and Rene Rast’s collision.
Buemi clattered into Rast into Turn 10 and then pushed him into the barriers, with the Audi driver returning the favour shortly after. Buemi was handed a 10-second stop-go penalty for his role in the incident.
The second Safety Car period was caused by Antonio Felix da Costa, who was put into the wall on the start-finish straight by Andre Lotterer.
Click here for the full FIA Formula E race results from the second London E-Prix.
