In an exciting São Paulo E-Prix, Sam Bird secured the inaugural victory for NEOM McLaren in the FIA Formula E championship with an impressive last-minute overtake. Starting from fifth position, Bird used his experience and strategic use of Attack Mode to steal the win from his former teammate Mitch Evans at Jaguar. Oliver Rowland also impressed with a stunning final lap, moving from fifth to third place after starting in 11th, securing Nissan’s second consecutive podium. Pole position Pascal Wehrlein finished in fourth place, while Jake Dennis delivered an impressive performance to claim fifth place after starting from 10th.
The DS Penske duo, Jean-Éric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne, couldn’t maintain their qualifying pace and finished in seventh and eighth place, respectively. Max Guenther took advantage of two Safety Car interventions to overcome grid and time penalties, finishing in an impressive ninth place. Sebastien Buemi showcased brilliant driving skills, recovering from a disappointing 18th place start to finish in 10th. Unfortunately, race leader Nick Cassidy crashed in the middle of the race.
The race started with a clean start, with Evans overtaking Vergne and Wehrlein maintaining his lead. Antonio Felix da Costa in the Porsche brother made initial progress, moving up from eighth on the grid to take the lead on the third lap. Wehrlein and Vandoorne opted for Attack Mode, causing Vandoorne to drop to sixth place. Bird also made initial progress, overtaking Wehrlein at the beginning of the fourth lap to secure second place. Both Bird and da Costa exchanged the lead after activating Attack Mode, but the race was interrupted by a Safety Car period when Andretti’s Norman Nato lost his front wing after colliding with Lucas de Grassi’s Cupra. Guenther, who started from the back of the grid due to a penalty, served his time penalty during this period.
The race resumed on the ninth lap, with da Costa and Wehrlein leading the pack. However, both drivers opted for Attack Mode, allowing Bird to regain the lead. Evans later overtook Bird at the second chicane. Dennis made steady progress, joining the leading group halfway through the race, while Rowland moved up to seventh place. Guenther showed exceptional precision in moving through the pack, quickly reaching the top ten. The predicted pack-style race became a reality, with much of the grid running in close proximity.
Unfortunately, championship leader Nick Cassidy’s race came to an end on the 16th lap, when the front wing of his Jaguar got stuck under the front tires, resulting in a collision with the barriers. Another Safety Car period followed, lasting four laps. When the race resumed, there was a period of intense racing, with Evans and Bird engaged in a fierce battle for the lead, with Evans finally taking the lead on the 28th lap. With the Safety Car appearances extending the race by three additional laps, the outcome was still uncertain.
Initially, Evans seemed to be falling into the clutches of Wehrlein, who appeared to have more energy, but Wehrlein’s challenge faded, and he also had to fend off Dennis. Rowland climbed to fifth position and joined the battle for the final podium spot, while Evans and Bird pulled away from the pack. Despite McLaren engineers advising Bird to cool the right side of his car, it seemed like his chances of victory were slim. However, on the final lap, Bird pressured Evans, executing a bold overtake on the outside of turn 10 to take the lead. He held on in the last corner to secure his first win since 2021, adding another triumph to McLaren’s illustrious racing history.
Amidst the thrilling race, Rowland managed to make two overtakes on the final lap, surpassing both Dennis and Wehrlein to secure his second consecutive third place. Despite retiring from the race, Cassidy maintains his position at the top of the Drivers’ Championship, with Wehrlein close behind, just four points adrift in second place. Evans’ first podium of the season propels him to third place with 39 points, tied with Vergne. Dennis is just one point behind in fifth place, while Bird’s victory moves him up to sixth place with 37 points. In the Teams’ Championship, Jaguar’s strong start and perfect podiums place them at the top with 96 points, followed by Porsche in second place, 35 points behind. McLaren currently holds fifth place with 55 points, with Penske in third place with 57 points.
© 2024
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is gearing up for an exciting racing season this year. After clinching his seventh world title last year, Hamilton is determined to continue his dominance on the tracks. With his unparalleled talent and a dedicated support team, he is one of the favorites for another victory.
Hamilton, who currently races for the Mercedes team, has been a force to be reckoned with since entering Formula 1 in 2007. With his exceptional driving skills and a deep understanding of the sport, he has become one of the most successful drivers of all time.
In addition to his success on the racetrack, Hamilton is also known for his activism off the track. He has been a champion for human rights and racial equality, using his platform to promote meaningful change. His determination to fight for important issues makes him an icon not only in the world of motorsport, but also in society at large.
With the Formula 1 season about to begin, fans are eager to see what Hamilton has in store for this year. With his passion for the sport and his unwavering dedication, he will surely continue to impress and inspire everyone. Don’t miss the exciting races that are yet to come.
