FE – C2: Bird achieves the New York double

Like the day before, the even side of the grid started better than the odd side, allowing Felix Rosenqvist (Mahindra) to take the lead of the race from the pole sitter Sam bird (DS Virgin) but the Briton regained his possession a few laps later.

Behind, several contacts between the drivers cost Daniel Abt (ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport) dearly, forced to retire, and Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah), forced to go through the pits to repair his car.

Au 7^e lap, Maro Engel (Venturi) who already had his car damaged, was forced to retire after a contact which broke his steering. At the same time, Mitch Evans (Jaguar) stopped his car on the track, causing the first Full Course Yellow. 

In contact with the top 3, Pierre Gasly (Renault e.dams) is left behind at the end of this sequence but has a comfortable lead over Oliver Turvey (Nextev Nio), then in 5^e position. At 20^e lap, a second period of FCY was deployed to evacuate the car of Alex Lynn (DS Virgin Racing) immobilized on the track. It was at this moment that the drivers decided to change cars except for the two Techeetahs who stopped just at the end of the FCY, starting last.

In the second part of the race, Rosenqvist was passed by Heidfeld, the Swede being on a slower pace than the leaders. Three laps from the end of the race, Antonio Felix Da Costa (Andretti) collided Loïc duval (Faraday Future Dragon Racing), sending the Frenchman into a spin.

On the last lap, Pierre Gasly managed to get back on the two Mahindras and tried to pass Heidfeld for the podium but the Frenchman hit the barriers while crossing the finish line.

Sam Bird wins the second race of the weekend ahead of the Mahindras of Rosenqvist and Heidfeld. Gasly is ranked 4^e after a solo race. Lucas di Grassi (ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport) and Nicolas Cheers (Renault e.dams) made the comebacks of the race by finishing 5^e and 6^e. Tom dillmann (Venturi) and Jean-Eric Vergne finish 7^e and 8^e ahead of Jérôme d'Ambrosio (Faraday Future Dragon Racing) and Stéphane Sarrazin (Techeetah). Loïc duval ends at the points gate. 

Race 2 ranking

Find the full report of the two New York races in Formula e, in issue 2123 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.