Formula E – Nicolas Prost apologizes to Heidfeld

The Chinese ePrix contested in Beijing made headlines, but not for the reasons the organizers wanted. If Lucas di Grassi is a great winner on this inaugural event of Formula E, it is the collision between Nick Heidfeld and Nicolas Cheers which has mainly been commented on (video). While the Frenchman was in the lead on the last lap, the e.dams driver fell back on the Venturi Racing resident who was attempting a maneuver. The contact was enough to send the German at full speed into the wall of tires after the latter took off against a curb.

Nick Heidfeld fortunately emerged unscathed from this very impressive accident. But the former Lotus driver F1 Team showed itself to be angry against the French driver who is none other than his teammate within Rebellion Racing in WEC. “I'm surprised I wasn't hurt. The race was fantastic until this crash. I moved up to fourth after a great start and gained two more positions after the pit stops. I had conserved a lot of energy while still being able to attack. I got level with Nico in the last corner and couldn't do anything after that. »

Initially, the two adversaries did not get along immediately after the accident. “We spoke after that and he clearly had a different opinion about what happened. Maybe he'll change his mind when he sees the videos. I'm sure it was possible to overtake here. It's disappointing, but I'm not angry with him because it's part of the race. » The Frenchman actually defended himself shortly after the accident. “I didn't see it and it's disappointing to lose the victory like this. I was in the middle of the track when I braked to take the turn to play it safe. There was no way to attack here. »

But the son of the four-time F1 world champion actually retracted his statements after studying the videos of the collision. The stewards also penalized the e.dams driver by ten places on the grid for the Malaysian ePrix which will be contested on November 22 in Putrajaya. “I feel very bad following this accident and I realized that I was responsible after watching the videos. I just didn't see it. The most important thing is that my friend Nick Heidfeld is okay. I'm so sorry Nick. You know I would never do anything like that again. » The German, who shares the wheel of the Rebellion R-One with the Frenchman in the WEC, has also accepted the apologies of his teammate whom he will meet next weekend for the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas. “Thank you Nico. I know you and I know it wasn't intentional. The m… are coming. We will fight together next week in Austin. »

Discover the report from Formula E in Beijing in issue 1978 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.