Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird cruised to victory at the first ever Formula E Putrajaya ePrix last Saturday (Nov 22). Held on the streets of Malaysia’s administrative capital, the race was Round 2 of the inaugural Formula E series that uses identical electric powered race cars. The first race was in Beijing, China.
The Brit finished the 31-lap race ahead of Beijing winner and championship-leader Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT) and e.dams-Renault’s Sebastien Buemi, two names that Formula 1 fans will be familiar with. Both started at the back of the grid and fought well to stand on the podium.
Nicolas Prost, son of Alain, continued the strong form he showed in qualifying to finish fourth. The e.dams-Renault driver started from 11th after carrying over a 10-place grid penalty for causing an avoidable collision in Beijing. Dragon Racing’s Jerome d’Ambrosio drove from last place on the grid to come home in fifth. The Belgian qualified in the top-three only to be penalised for exceeding the maximum power usage.
Viewers didn’t have to wait long for drama. The BMW i8 safety car was deployed on the opening lap for marshalls to clean the track as the only two female drivers on the grid – Amlin Aguri’s Katherine Legge and Michela Cerruti (Trulli) – collided.
Later, Andretti’s Matthew Brabham clashed with Venturi’s Nick Heidfeld at the tight turn 10 hairpin. Brabham’s team-mate Franck Montagny was in a feisty mood as he carved his way through the field, but forced Heidfeld into the tyre barrier on the outside of turn five. The German’s stricken Venturi brought out the safety car for a second time.
Mahindra’s Bruno Senna, another ex-F1 driver, crashed heavily on the final lap in pursuit of Buemi for the final podium spot. You can check out all the action in the video below.
The next Formula E race will be in Uruguay’s Punta Del Este on December 13. The electric series will then head to the streets of Buenos Aires, Miami, Long Beach, Monte Carlo and Berlin before ending the season in London.
Scenes from the Putrajaya Formula E paddock
BMW i8 Formula E Safety Car
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Now I know why his name is Bird. Can see his brid bulging from his pants. Parking right.
The race cars doesn’t seem very fast in the video tho … but then again most of the major highlights are taken at the turnpikes which have very crazy turning angles …
It’s absolutely like what they said – Like watching large scale RC cars racing, with people in it. Interesting, keep it up!
star of the race is that gorgeous bmw i8 safety car !
Last time Virgin Racing was the worst team in F1. Now in F-E easily won. That shows the standard of F-E. If u cant succeed in F1, go to F-E. Maybe next year Tony F will join in as Tune Racing.
For this first season, all cars are basically same and equal because it was produced by a single manufacturer. So, this season is really down to the drivers and mind you, Sam Bird is not an ordinary driver.
Some says that if you peel the skin of Sam Bird, you’ll see it is The Stig.
Was at the race, the circuit itself is not easy, very tight turns and not very wide like Sepang (street circuit so…)
They were doing some tests with the BMW i8 before the race, the first time I saw and heard it in real life. By far that was the most impressive thing. BMW really have nailed in 11/10 will buy an i8 if I want a coupe.
The race itself was not bad, interesting sound from the motors, but those cars can really go fast… If only the seating was better though, Grandstand tickets didn’t have much shade and walking from one end to another was pretty far. More so the issue on parking which was super packed.
The closest for us Malaysian to view an i8 in person. Sign….
Im kinda hooked by the rc car like sound, and its super fast also in acceleration. maybe a bit slower in long straight, that is why the track design is kinda short. But most of the driver kinda reckless, poor quick nick got shove to the wall during turn.
All that aero for what? Damn slow, should have based on a WEC car than the f1 that it desires to be.
Fan boost? Akademi Fantasia kah?
Why not make hybrid electric racing, now that’s an idea.
Funny how the announcer pronounced Putrajaya sounding more like Putridjaya! haha
why held in Putrajaya instead, we have a race circuit in Sepang?