Reactions to the Berlin E-Prix
Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E): “That was a harder day for us. We were a little bit outside the window in qualifying and ended up in the middle of the field. During the race, it's hard work then. We are still learning but we managed to score points which is positive.”
Neel Jani (Porsche 99X Electric, #18): “I made a mistake in the first sector during qualifying, which meant that I had to start from a long way back. I was able to make up a few places but I struggled a bit with the handling as the race progressed. We will have to take a look at the reasons for that. The good thing is that we still have four races to go.”
André Lotterer (Porsche 99X Electric, #36): “I started from 12th and made it into the points. Of course, I would have preferred to have finished a bit higher up. If you look at our pace yesterday, it actually looked promising, but the car just didn't feel quite as good today. However, we were able to gather plenty of data.”
Outlook
After the first ‘double-header’, drivers and team members can now rest and recuperate for a day. The season continues with races eight and nine on Saturday and Sunday. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will be battling for more top results on the regular Formula E circuit in Berlin. The final two races will then take place on a new track layout on 12th and 13th August.
Berlin E-Prix (Round 6)
A successful start to the Formula E season finale at the home race in Berlin saw André Lotterer (DE) secure the second spot on the podium for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team to continue his debut season in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. At the sixth race of the season in Berlin (DE), he crossed the finish line in second place in his #36 Porsche 99X Electric. Lotterer and the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team secured the same position at the season-opener in Diriyah (SA). In the second #18 Porsche 99X Electric, Neel Jani (CH) crossed the line in 13th place, before being moved up to eleventh thanks to a penalty and a disqualification imposed on two other drivers.
The qualifying
Lotterer once again delivered a great pace in qualifying. The Mexico City E-Prix pole-setter took to the circuit in the second start group, securing the fifth place with a time of 1:07.454 minutes. That translated to Lotterer's third consecutive participation in Super Pole. At one point during the competition for the six fastest drivers, Lotterer posted the best time of 1:07.235 minutes. He fell back to third place but that proved to be a promising starting point for the race. Jani completed his fastest lap in the fourth qualifying group, reaching 18th place in 1:08.014 minutes. The Swiss driver gained one grid position thanks to a penalty imposed on another driver.
The race
Lotterer was able to defend third place at the start and continued to do so throughout the early stage of the race. The safety car appeared on track after an accident at the 15-minute mark. Lotterer remained in third place after the restart, only to fall back a few minutes later as he attempted to activate his ‘Attack Mode’. He managed to reclaim third place around 15 minutes before the end and held on until activating his second ‘Attack Mode’ with eight minutes remaining and falling back to fifth. Lotterer was however able to regain ground, making the second place his own with another overtaking maneuver on the final lap.
Jani remained in 17th place after the start. He gained two places for a while before falling back to 17th position. During the closing stage, he battled his way back up to cross the line in 13th and was classified in eleventh place.
