Vandoorne claims redemption with dominant Rome Race Two victory

In a dramatic weekend of electric racing, Stoffel Vandoorne roared to victory in Formula E’s second race of the Rome E-Prix, delivering a masterful performance that firmly avenged his earlier heartbreak. Just 24 hours prior, the Belgian driver had been tantalizingly close to claiming triumph from pole position, only to be denied victory by an unexpected incident involving a manhole cover. His redemption in Sunday’s thrilling encounter showcased both his skill and the unpredictable nature of the FIA Formula E World Championship.

The streets of Rome, a challenging and iconic circuit, once again proved to be a formidable test for the field. For the second consecutive day, proceedings were initiated behind the Safety Car. This decision, a testament to the mixed weather conditions that had swept across the Italian capital and persistent concerns over the starting grid placement on a track that had undergone significant alterations since the previous year’s event, underscored the delicate balance between spectacle and safety in electric street racing.

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The grid for the fourth race of the season saw Super Formula champion Nick Cassidy, making a significant impact in his debut Formula E season with Virgin, line up on pole position. He was joined on the front row by fellow rookie Norman Nato, signaling a new generation of talent pushing for supremacy. Directly behind them, in a potent second-row pairing, were the experienced Stoffel Vandoorne and Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein, both eager to capitalize on their strong qualifying efforts.

Cassidy’s pole position, a testament to his raw speed, unfortunately, proved to be short-lived. His lead evaporated in a flash, lasting for merely two corners before a critical braking error sent him wide and saw him tumble down the order. This sudden turn of events allowed Norman Nato to inherit the lead, but his reign at the front was equally temporary. Pascal Wehrlein, demonstrating impressive early race pace and decisiveness, wasted no time in executing a clinical overtaking maneuver to seize the top spot, showcasing the fierce competition that defines Formula E.

Di Grassi fumed after contact with Buemi

Amidst the early race reshuffling, Nick Cassidy, despite his initial setback, displayed commendable resilience. He briefly looked poised for a recovery, clawing his way back through the field and passing Sebastien Buemi to reach ninth place, hinting at a potential podium challenge. However, his comeback was brutally halted when he tangled with Oliver Rowland, resulting in his car becoming embedded in the TecPro barrier at turn seven. Though he managed to recover, it was to a distant last place, trailing the rest of the pack, and his woes were compounded by a post-race penalty, further cementing a challenging day.

The strategic element of Attack Mode, a unique feature of Formula E, played a pivotal role in the leadership battle. Pascal Wehrlein, holding the lead, opted to activate his Attack Mode by darting off the racing line. The plan was clear: utilize the temporary power boost to solidify his position or even extend his advantage. However, fate had other ideas. Almost immediately after he engaged the higher power mode, the race was neutralised under a Full Course Yellow. This cruel stroke of misfortune meant Wehrlein had no opportunity to deploy his strategic advantage, effectively losing the lead to Stoffel Vandoorne, who had remained on the racing line.

The race’s intensity was further escalated by a significant incident involving two former champions. Contact between Nissan e.Dams driver Sebastien Buemi and Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s Lucas di Grassi saw the latter’s car tipped sideways into a barrier. The impact was severe, tearing the front-left corner off his Audi machine against the unforgiving wall. A full course yellow was swiftly called as the visibly furious Di Grassi brought his damaged car to a halt in the turn four run-off area, adding another layer of drama and frustration to the already eventful race.

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Once the circuit was cleared and racing resumed, Pascal Wehrlein found himself not only struggling to reel in the now-leading Stoffel Vandoorne but also vulnerable from behind. It wasn’t long before he fell prey to the surging Alexander Sims. The Mahindra driver executed a well-judged move to claim second place, demonstrating his strong pace and astute racecraft, and further shuffling the order at the sharp end of the field.

Cassidy took pole for his fourth Formula E start, but struggled

As the race entered its crucial final phase, with approximately eight minutes remaining, Rene Rast’s race came to an abrupt and spectacular end. The Audi driver hit the wall at the exit of turn 19, his wrecked car skidding to a halt on the track. This incident initially triggered another yellow flag period, which soon escalated into a full Safety Car deployment. The sequence of events left an incredibly condensed climax to the race, with merely two minutes of green-flag running at the very end – just enough for a single, frantic lap of action that promised high stakes and potential chaos.

At the restart, with the championship points hanging in the balance, Stoffel Vandoorne expertly managed to hold onto his hard-earned lead. Alexander Sims, in hot pursuit, launched a determined but ultimately futile challenge. The Mercedes-EQ and Mahindra drivers held a significant energy advantage, possessing twice the remaining power of third-placed Norman Nato, who was under immense pressure from a persistent Pascal Wehrlein right on his gearbox. This energy discrepancy highlighted the strategic nuances of Formula E, where efficient management can be as crucial as raw speed.

The final lap descended into pure pandemonium, particularly at the treacherous turn seven. Edoardo Mortara, under extreme pressure, displayed extraordinary car control, dramatically wrestling his Venturi machine back from the brink of losing it into the corner. However, others were not so fortunate. In a breathtaking three-wide battle with Oliver Rowland, Nyck de Vries and Sam Bird saw their races tragically end in the TecPro barriers at the very same corner. The incident eliminated two key championship contenders, adding a layer of bitter disappointment to the already thrilling finale.

Stoffel Vandoorne, demonstrating nerves of steel amidst the chaos, crossed the chequered flag triumphant, securing a well-deserved victory. Alexander Sims claimed a strong second place, but the initial third-place finisher, Norman Nato, was later disqualified. Post-race scrutineering revealed that Nato had finished with insufficient energy remaining in his battery, violating technical regulations. This handed the final spot on the rostrum to a grateful Pascal Wehrlein. Edoardo Mortara’s heroic car control ensured he held onto fourth place, just ahead of BMWi Andretti’s Maximilian Guenther, rounding out a top-five that reflected the relentless competition.

Despite not adding to his points haul in Rome, Sam Bird maintained his position at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings, a testament to his consistent performances earlier in the season. Similarly, his Jaguar Racing team retained the lead in the Teams’ Championship, highlighting their strong start to the campaign. The electrifying action of Formula E is set to continue its season-opening run of double-headers, moving to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, in just two weeks’ time, promising another captivating chapter in the championship battle.

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Rome E-Prix Race Two Result

Position	Driver	Team
1	Stoffel Vandoorne	Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team
2	Alexander Sims	Mahindra Racing
3	Pascal Wehrlein	TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team
4	Edoardo Mortara	ROKiT Venturi Racing
5	Max Günther	BMWi Andretti Motorsport
6	Mitch Evans	Jaguar Racing
7	Antonio Felix da Costa	DS Techeetah
8	Sebastien Buemi	Nissan e.Dams
9	Tom Blomqvist	NIO 333 FE Team
10	Nico Müller	Dragon Penske Autosport
11	Jean-Eric Vergne	DS Techeetah
12	Sergio Sette Camara	Dragon Penske Autosport
13	Jake Dennis	BMWi Andretti Motorsport
14	Oliver Turvey	NIO 333 FE Team
15	André Lotterer	TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team
16	Oliver Rowland	Nissan e.Dams
17	Alex Lynn	Mahindra Racing
18	Robin Frijns	Envision Virgin Racing
NC	Norman Nato	ROKiT Venturi Racing
DNF	Sam Bird	Jaguar Racing
DNF	Nyck de Vries	Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team
DNF	Nick Cassidy	Envision Virgin Racing
DNF	Rene Rast	Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler
DNF	Lucas di Grassi	Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler

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Rome E-Prix Race Two Result

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