Jakarta overcame difficulties and was able to organize its first Formula E E-Prix, despite the obstacles experienced by the event’s promoters during the planning process. Political and social tension over the allocated budget and difficulties in the construction of the circuit marked the way to the event.
Once the inconveniences were overcome, the Indonesian capital witnessed a great show in which Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing driver, took the honors after a tight battle against Jean-Éric Vergne and Edoardo Mortara, taking his third victory of the campaign.
Evans was able to come from behind on lap 31, and in turn 7 made a great maneuver to overtake Vergne, leader until that moment. As has been the case throughout the campaign, energy management played a key role for the podium finishers.
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The Jaguar representative had about five minutes of extra time to keep his closest pursuers at bay, considering that his rear tires were wearing out quickly. Evans was able to withstand the pressure and with just one second to go to take the victory.
“That was a tough one. I was happy to be in it at the end. We had a tough last race, and this track was similar with the weather on another level. We put a lot of work into the setup and systems, but the team gave me what I needed,” Evans said at the end of the contest.
“We needed a good result today. But obviously it was a new track, new weather, new everything, you really don’t know how it’s going to go. So I’m very happy with the result, we’re back even though we were never really out, but it’s put us in a strong position, added the driver.
Vandoorne on Top
Mercedes-EQ driver Stofel Vandoorne was unable to stay inside the podium this time, but his fifth-place finish was enough to keep him at the top of the championship standings.
However, Vandoorne’s rivals finished the race strong, so the gap in the standings closed and only 12 points separate the top four drivers. Vergne is five points behind the Belgian, Mortara two behind the Frenchman in third and Evans another five behind.
Mercedes-EQ remains at the top of the teams’ table with 186 points, 16 ahead of DS Techeetah, which overtakes ROKiT Venturi Racing in the points table.
The next stop for Round 10 in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the E-Prix Marrakech on Saturday, July 2.
