LONDON, UK - Nicolas Prost dominated proceedings in the first leg of the London ePrix Formula E double-header on Saturday, leading every lap of the race to end his victory drought dating back to last year’s Miami ePrix.
After taking pole in a damp qualifying session at Battersea Park, Prost made light work of the competition early on before a safety car period wiped away his lead.
The Frenchman controlled the restart well, ensuring that Mahindra Racing’s Bruno Senna was kept at an arm’s length throughout before crossing the line five seconds clear of the pack.
The real talking point after the race was the battle between championship contenders Sebastien Buemi and Lucas di Grassi, who started 10th and 12th respectively after rain scuppered their qualifying efforts.
Both managed to pick their way through the pack, with di Grassi losing part of his front wing when trying to pass DS Virgin Racing’s Jean-Eric Vergne for position with eight laps to go.
The loose part soon broke away, allowing di Grassi to continue without incurring the wrath of the stewards, much to the chagrin of Buemi behind.
Heading into the final stages of the race, di Grassi and Buemi ran fourth and fifth respectively, only for Sam Bird to relegate Buemi to P6 with a late lunge.
However, Bird slowed coming out of the final corner on the last lap of the race, causing Buemi to hit him. The Swiss driver gesticulated angrily, but was able to take the position and ensure that di Grassi only finished one position ahead, having failed to take Vergne late on.
As a result, di Grassi enters tomorrow’s season finale with a three-point lead over Buemi, with 30 still up for grabs.
Daniel Abt and Robin Frijns had ran well up the order for most of the race, only to crash out when fighting for position after 20 laps, resulting in a safety car period.
NEXTEV TCR’s Oliver Turvey also looked set to score his first podium finish in Formula E before crashing with three laps remaining. Teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. finished down in P14, but did pick up two points for recording the fastest lap of the race.