Formula E test Ad Diriyah E-Prix 2018

Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler scored points with both cars at the Formula E season opener in Ad Diriyah (Saudi Arabia). Following a chaotic qualifying session, Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi fought back from eleventh and eighteenth on the grid to finish eighth and ninth.
At the season opener in the desert, the teams had expected anything but rain which, on Saturday morning, resulted in just one short free practice session taking place, instead of the two scheduled sessions. To top things off, this track time was interrupted by red flags. Qualifying, which is normally divided into a group phase and a Super Pole shootout of the six fastest drivers, took place in two groups immediately after free practice.

On the wet race track in qualifying, both drivers from Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler complained about insufficient grip on the rear axle. In addition, Lucas di Grassi – like several other drivers – retroactively had his fastest qualifying lap cancelled due to a short-term power peak.”

In the race, both Audi drivers showed a fighting spirit. “But we were simply not fast enough today,” said Daniel Abt, “so we had to fight hard for our positions. It was a tough race for us.” The second race of the new Formula E season will be held in Morocco on January 12, 2019.