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Günther wins first Jeddah ePrix on the final lap after nail-biting finish!
DS Penske driver Maximilian Günther could win the first Jeddah ePrix of the weekend. It was the German's first victory since the Tokyo ePrix the previous season. Oliver Rowland finished in second place, while Taylor Barnard completed the podium in Saudi Arabia. Nyck de Vries just missed out on the podium finishing in P4 for Mahindra Racing.
As it happened
It was as eventful start with multiple incidents taking place. Mitch Evans' front wing was damaged, and defending champion Pascal Wehrlein reported a right rear puncture. However, the New Zealander decided to stay out on track waiting for the pit boost pit stop. He could only stay out on track until Lap 6. Nico Müller also lost his front wing after also going briefly airborne after the start.
On the other hand, starting from pole position, Maximilian Güntheruite a calm start and could remain in P1. The German had a comfortable lead early on, and then led the pack of top 5 drivers with Rowland, Barnard, De Vries and Hughes behind, until the Safety Car was called out on track for debrief on the track on Lap 8. On the first lap after the restart, De Vries got back up to P3, and after Barnard tapped him into a chicane, the Briton lost another position to Hughes. Günther then gave up the lead to Rowland, hoping to save some energy.
The first pit boost in Formula E's history stop took place on Lap 15. Pole sitter Günther pitted on Lap 18, and returned to the track behind Barnard and De Vries. Rowland pitted a lap later, and could keep provisional lead, and then had a four-second lead once he got to the front again ahead of the chasing pack. On Lap 21, De Vries got up to P2, overtaking Hughes. Günther could then recover after putting a great set of laps together and got up to P2, trying to chase down Rowland, as the Briton was investigated for a pit lane infringement.
The battle for the lead came down to the final lap, as Günther was trying to get past Rowland, and Barnard was lurking just behind in P3. In the final couple of corners, Günther could get the better of the Briton, and won the first ePrix of the weekend at Jeddah for DS Penske. The weekend will continue with the second ePrix tomorrow.
The Top 10 of Jeddah ePrix #1
1. Maximilian Günther - DS Penske - 29 pts
2. Oliver Rowland - Nissan - 18 pts
3. Taylor Barnard - Neom McLaren - 15 pts
4. Nyck de Vries - Mahindra Racing - 12 pts
5. Jake Hughes - Maserati MSG Racing - 10 pts
6. Jean-Eric Vergne - DS Penske - 8 pts
7. Edoardo Mortara - Mahindra Racing - 6 pts
8. Sam Bird - Neom McLaren - 4 pts
9. Antonio Felix da Costa - Tag Heuer Porsche - 2 pts
10. Stoffel Vandoorne - Maserati MSG Racing - 1 pts
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