Formula E has a bit of a reputation for chaotic races and the first race of season four in Hong Kong absolutely lived up to it.
On the first lap the track got blocked at one of the circuit’s many tight corners, bringing out the red flags and causing a lengthy delay.
On the restart pole-sitter Jean-Eric Vergne continued to lead under pressure from Sam Bird, who eventually found a way past shortly before the pit stops.
Bird’s stop was a nightmare though as he locked up on the way into the garage and caused a few people to take avoiding action.
Drama in the pit lane as @sambirdracing misses his garage… #HKEPrix pic.twitter.com/56TaD6ppVV
— FIA Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) December 2, 2017
Everyone was OK and he retained the lead, but it was pretty clear that a penalty was on the horizon, throwing away what had looked like a certain victory.
Well, not quite. Yes, Bird got a penalty, but with the pitlane being so short he was able to serve his drive-through, come out in the lead again and go on to win. Result!
JEV came home in second, just ahead of a charging Nick Heidfeld, who continues his remarkable talent of being able to rack up consistent podiums without ever actually winning.
Formula E being Formula E, further back there was plenty of outrageous overtakes, such as this monster lunge from Nelson Piquet Jr.
Mega move from @NelsonPiquet to pass @FRosenqvist into 5th #HKEPrix pic.twitter.com/4SMODT1S4u
— FIA Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) December 2, 2017
And if all that wasn’t enough action for you, then you won’t have to wait long for some more because the next race is tomorrow!
