António Félix da Costa ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne in Riyadh

For the official debut of BMW as a constructor, associated with the Andretti team, in Formula E, the Munich firm impressed this Saturday in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia with the victory ofAntónio Felix da Costa.

Already author of the pole position, the Portuguese, despite an unacademic position on the grid, had well mastered his flight to get ahead Sébastien Buemi (Nissan e.dams) in the first moments of the race, the Swiss quickly getting rid of José Maria Lopez (Dragon Racing).

The first lap of the race was also marked by contact with the barriers of Edoardo Mortara (Venturi), who pulled straight ahead with a probable brake problem. The Venturi driver was finally able to leave but with a damaged front wing.

More problems for @edomortara as he goes straight on into the barrier but manages to get going again #AdDiriyahEPrice pic.twitter.com/iXYfMoYl0W

- ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) December 15, 2018

Vergne and Lotterer cut off in their tracks

If António Félix da Costa remains a solid leader, Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah), like his teammate André Lotterer, went on the offensive in the initial quarter of an hour. Lopez, then Buemi gave in to the Frenchman, who finally took the advantage 26′ from the finish over the Portuguese leader (the race now spanning 45 minutes plus one lap).

DS Techeetah even sees a possible double for a while as Lotterer in turn overtakes the BMW i Andretti driver. But there was an almost immediate twist, since Vergne and Lotterer were both penalized with a drive-through for having exceeded the power limit during regeneration.

Both our drivers have been handed a drive through penalty for a technical infringement – ​​overpower during regeneration.
Now P5 (JEV) & P7 (LOT)

- DS TECHEETAH (@DSTECHEETAH) December 15, 2018

Enough to give back control of the event to António Félix da Costa. Vergne, falling back beyond the top 3, begins a new comeback and passes José Maria Lopez, the Argentinian stopping immediately on the track with a car damaged at the left rear suspension.

The Full Course Yellow is put in place by the race management before the safety car is deployed to evacuate the car of the former three-time WTCC world champion.

After getting the better of Buemi, Vergne regained second position against Jérôme d'Ambrosio (Mahindra Racing), thanks to the use of his Attack mode. But the Frenchman will not be able to attack the leader António Félix da Costa, who ultimately wins ahead of the outgoing champion and Jérôme d'Ambrosio. This is the second success for the Portuguese after his victory in Buenos Aires in 2015.

Mitch Evans (Panasonic Jaguar Racing) took fourth place ahead of André Lotterer. Followed by the two Nissan e.dams of Sébastien Buemi and Oliver Rowland, and the two Audi Sport ABT Schaefflers of Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi. Nelson Piquet (Panasonic Jaguar Racing) completes the top 10.

For their debut in the discipline, Felipe Massa (Venturi) and Stoffel Vandoorne (HWA Racelab) finished 14th and 17th. Tom Dillmann (NIO) takes 15th place under the checkered flag.

Ranking to come

Discover the full report of the Riyadh ePrix, produced by our special correspondent in Saudi Arabia, in issue 2196 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version, and from next Wednesday on newsstands.