Evans emulates Verstappen with incredible win at São Paulo ePrix

Mediabank Formule E

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formula e report, evans wins in sao paulo
7 December at 20:59
  • Ludo van Denderen

For years, Mitch Evans has started a Formula E season as one of the favourites, but the Jaguar driver has never become champion. Expectations are no different for this time around. In any case, the New Zealander got off to an excellent start, winning the ePrix of Sao Paulo. He did so in Max Verstappen-like fashion, winning from the last starting spot.

To say the least, it was an exciting opener to the season in Brazil, a race that was over before it started for Robin Frijns. Indeed, the Dutchman could not get off the grid at the start. Oliver Rowland didn't mind, as the Briton grabbed the lead of the race immediately after the start, which would eventually suffer a lot of crashes and two red flags.

As early as the second lap, Jake Hughes and Nico Müller collided (after the latter had been hit by Beckmann), prompting the safety car to come out. After the pair's cars were cleared, it was not long before the red flag was waved. Indeed, Jake Dennis had stalled and a light in the car indicated that the machine was underpowered.

Penalty for leader Rowland

After a long break, the race resumed, with Da Costa and Rowland starting at the front. Meanwhile, in the back of the field, the Jaguars were behind in the order, especially Evans. He had not set a time in qualifying due to a broken power train and - with a bit of luck - fought his way to the front. Still, it did not look like Evans could win, leader Rowland was too fast for that. But the Briton was given a drive through penalty for using too much energy and fell out of the points.

By the end of the ePrix, there was a hard crash with Pascal Wehrlein as the main victim. The champion's car ended up upside down after making contact with Jaguar driver Nick Cassidy. With utmost care, Wehrlein was removed from his car by the medical team, and thankfully the German was not hurt.

On the second restart, Taylor Barnard (McLaren) seemed to be on his way to his first win, but in the end Evans and Antonio Felix da Costa were too fast for him. Barnard was also happy with third place. Nyck de Vries drove a fine race, briefly driving in P3, but eventually crossing the finish line in P7.

Results of the Sao Paulo ePrix