Berlin – First career victory for Nato, world champion de Vries

This is what we call ending the season in style. Spared by the incident involving Mitch Evans (Jaguar) and Edoardo Mortara (Venturi) when the lights went out (the first was unable to start and was hit by the second), Norman Nato (Venturi) showed himself uncompromising on the tarmac at Tempelhof airport.

We're under a red flag in Berlin after a collision on the start line between two of our championship contenders – @mitchevans_ and @edomortara.

Great to see both drivers get out of the car ok. They will be going to the medical center for checks!

🇩🇪 2021 @BMWi #BerlinEPrice pic.twitter.com/Ndg2aEJwOu

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) August 15

In a race where strategy was the watchword, the Cannes resident showed great mischief. By first attempting the Attack Mode bet just before the end of the first quarter of an hour of racing, Norman Nato took Stoffel Vandoorne by surprise (Mercedes), Alexander Sims (Mahindra) and Oliver Rowland (Nissan e.Dams) to take the reins with just over half an hour to go.

.@NatoNorman activate ATTACK MODE and gets on the chase for a podium position!

Live timing 👉 https://t.co/PfsIBGoxYB

🇩🇪 2021 @BMWi #BerlinEPrice | @Niobium_Nb | @VenturiFE pic.twitter.com/SRefKEHYr1

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) August 15

Chased by its rivals, the Habs then showed themselves to be patient and managed their end of the race perfectly. His second passage through Attack Mode carried out in complete serenity, Norman Nato then flew straight towards his first victory in Formula E he who was disqualified in Rome last April when he was supposed to get on the podium. Oliver Rowland and Stoffel Vandoorne completed the Top 3.

But unfortunately, this victory risks being in the shadow of Berlin since at the same time, Nyck de Vries (Mercedes) was crowned Formula E world champion. Thirteenth on the grid, the Dutchman was greatly helped by the immediate retirement of two of his main rivals: Mitch Evans (Jaguar) and Edoardo Mortara (Venturi). Jake Dennis (BMW Andretti) also on the mat after the restart, the representative of the German team then had a boulevard towards the title in front of him.

“AND THERE’S CONTACT!”@nyckdevries, @Andre_Lotterer and @AlexanderSims go three wide 🤯

Live timing 👉 https://t.co/PfsIBGoxYB

🇩🇪 2021 @BMWi #BerlinEPrice | @Niobium_Nb pic.twitter.com/TmwahJHB7a

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) August 15

Malgré quelques batailles animées en piste avec son coéquipier Stoffel Vandoorne ou encore les pilote Porsche (André Lotterer et Pascal Wehrlein) notamment, Nyck de Vries a ensuite décidé de lever quelque peu le pied afin d’éviter tout incident pouvant le priver du sacre. Il s’est finalement contenté de la 8e à l’arrivée, suffisant pour devenir le premier champion du monde de l’histoire de la Formule E.

Mercedes for its part won the Manufacturers' title ahead of Jaguar and DS Techeetah.

Find the analysis of the two Formula E races in Berlin in AUTOhebdo No. 2325, available from Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands.