Seoul – Race 1: Evans wins and maintains title hopes

The title will therefore be decided in the last race of the season on Sunday. Mitch Evans (Jaguar) repelled the coronation of Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes) by winning Race 1, during the Seoul E-Prix. The New Zealander dominated the race from start to finish, without ever really being worried by Oliver Rowland (Mahindra) and Lucas Di Grassi (Venturi), who completed the podium. Before the final event of the season, the gap in the championship is now 21 points between Evans and Vandoorne, while there are 29 points left to collect on Sunday. 

Crash on the first lap, 8 drivers in the wall!

The race got off to a flying start with an impressive pile-up at the end of the first lap. No less than 8 cars went into the wall at the exit of turn 21. Trapped when braking by the rain and the paint strips on the ground, a third of the drivers in the field were unable to take the turn. Nyck De Vries (Mercedes) even had a huge scare when it found itself under the car of Sébastien Buemi (Nissan e.Dams). The Dutchman was able to get out of his car after being stuck for around ten minutes. All pilots escaped safely.

Great to see all seven drivers walk away unscathed from this incident at the start of the race.

Round 15 is currently under red flag conditions as the cars are recovered from the track.

🇰🇷 2022 Hana Bank #SeoulEPrice pic.twitter.com/ce7ODepDiS

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) August 13

After more than 45 minutes of interruption, the race was then able to resume with 6 drivers missing. Only Nick Cassidy (Envision) and replacement Norman Nato (Jaguar) were able to start at the back of the pack. At restart, on a drying track and with the sun piercing the clouds, Mitch Evans retained the lead of the race.

Behind, Jean-Éric Vergne (DS Techeetah), eliminated from the title race even before the start of the E-Prix (Ed. he had to score pole to stay in contention), had contact with Eduardo Mortara (Venturi) in an attempt to overtake. The Swiss was penalized 5 seconds for changing trajectory while braking. Mortara was ultimately unable to see the finish: the right rear wheel of the Venturi came loose on contact. This forced the three-time E-Prix winner this season to retire and say goodbye to the title too.

An arrival under Safety Car in Seoul

On the 2,6 kilometer circuit, which crosses the Seoul Olympic Stadium, the drying track allowed the drivers to regain rhythm and stabilized the gaps. Among the highlights, Alexander Sims (Mahindra) collided with Antonio Giovinazzi (Dragon Penske) and was penalized 5 seconds. The Briton then retired at the end of the race after hitting the wall in the winding section. The safety car was deployed with only 2 minutes left on the clock. The race was not restarted, which allowed Mitch Evans to triumph in South Korea for this first race of the weekend.

Arriving 5th, Stoffel Vandoorne scored valuable points and is only 7 points away from the title. The Vandoorne – Evans duel will therefore find its outcome on Sunday (9:00 a.m.), for the final E-Prix of the season.

The classification of Race 1 in Seoul: 

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