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Nick Cassidy wins the New York E-Prix after a brilliant battle and crazy crash causing a red flag.
This a first time win for the New Zealander to claim victory over Lucas Di Grassi and Stoffel Vandoorne at round 11.
Light Out
Polesitter Nick Cassidy took the lead. There was heavy breaking heading into turn 1. Taking on the 2.3km circuit with 14 turns, Vandoorne somehow shuffled down the field.
Then an early yellow flag appeared as Vergne spun out at turn 6 resulting in him facing the wrong way.
Chaos at the start with several drivers involved. Most affected was @JeanEricVergne who has now dropped to the back of the field ?
Follow LIVE timing ? https://t.co/eyJkPujJED
?? 2022 #NYCEPrix pic.twitter.com/BEgv9H90eF
— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) July 16, 2022
This caused Mitch Evans to lose time as he was hit from behind and sandwiched between the other drivers. Nyck De Vries locked up by the lefthander. Soon enough Vandoorne found his way back up to fourth.
For four minutes, there was a boost for the drivers while in attack mode. There was loads of acceleration into turn 2, 3 and 4. Dennis dared to get the fastest lap with a time of 1:11:640.
The Battle
Di Grassi went into attack mode improving to second place just ahead of Buemi and Frijns. Wehrlein managed a fastest lap with a 1:11:183.
Cassidy continued to lead as Di Grassi gave it everything right behind him only 0.7 seconds apart. The two saw energy change while entering turn 6. There was sharp braking by turn 9. Holding out for the attack mode, Di Grassi debated losing time or energy. The Brazilian pressed on determined as he closed in by turn 10. Lucas looked ahead with his sights set to lead. Then Nyck De Vries mastered a fastest lap with a time of 1:10:860.
The lefthander proved to be a challenge. Drivers used higher speed taking real risk going into turn 14. Round the track again, Di Grassi took the lead over Cassidy. It was wheel to wheel as Cassidy took the lead once more through attack mode by turn 10. Following him, through the attack mode zone Vandoorne overtook Di Grassi.
A great move from @svandoorne as he takes his #FANBOOST and moves himself up into P2 ?
?? 2022 #NYCEPrix | @MercedesEQFE https://t.co/lX4Dvakv7G pic.twitter.com/Mbi7p476nu
— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) July 16, 2022
Cassidy, Di Grassi and Vandoorne were the ones to watch in a top three battle. Vandoorne advanced by covering the inside at turn 6. The Belgian braved it all to make things come together and reduce the 0.741 gap.
Closing Stages
Raindrops surprised as Mortara moved up the grid. The Swiss driver made a fastest lap with 1:10:843. The Rokit Venturi team were amazed by him starting ninth and getting up to fifth.
The track filled with puddles as drivers tried to manage. Tyres were struggling to hold water and drivers attempted to maintain vision.
Cassidy, Vandoorne, di Grassi, Wehrlein and Buemi all aquaplaned straight on at Turn 6 on that standing water, leaving Frijns P1 at the Red Flag.
?? 2022 #NYCEPrix pic.twitter.com/kN4q2XdhQZ
— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) July 16, 2022
A red flag appeared. With less than seven minutes, there was a crazy pile up. Cassidy and Di Grassi flew straight off the track. Wehrlein and Buemi came to a halt. Da Costa ended up in the barriers. There were massive amount of damages to the cars including front wings, gearboxes and tyres. Despite the intense impact, all drivers exited their cars safely. Race control informed that the race wouldn’t resume. What an unexpected finish in New York.
Final Results
Headline Image Credit: Envision Racing.