Round 8 of Formula E’s Race At Home Challenge brought a conclusion to an action-packed esports season.
As we headed into the Grand Final, Pascal Wehrlein (Mahindra Racing) and Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes-Benz EQ) were separated by 14 points heading into the race and double-points were on offer too. That meant the winner will claim 50 points.
Alice Powell, who took part in the rookie test earlier this year in Marrakesh, filled in for Robin Frijns at Envision Virgin Racing.
Sam Dejonghe, who also took part in the Marrakesh rookie test, filled in for Jerome D’Ambrosio at Mahindra Racing.
𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 in the Driver Grid race
A drive in a 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝑬 𝒄𝒂𝒓 for the winner of the Challenge Grid race
And we're racing in ʙᴇʀʟɪɴ for the Grand Final
Here's @JackNichollsF1E with the @juliusbaer track guide! #RaceAtHome pic.twitter.com/Qk1bIXjVJs
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) June 7, 2020
Oliver Rowland of Nissan e.Dams took pole position ahead of Wehrlein and Vandoorne with a time of 1m9.139s. As a former Race At Home Challenge winner in Berlin, he was amongst the potential drivers to claim another victory.
As we went to green-flag racing in Berlin, Wehrlein faced a difficult start after a few corners as Buemi went into Vandoorne who tapped Wehrlein.
The pack behind followed suit to try and avoid the Mahindra driver who fell to P16; Rowland maintained his lead.
A sum of twenty-four points separated Vandoorne and Wehrlein, with the latter driver aiming to make it up the order.
After the field stretched out after being packed up at turn 1, a number of battles took place.
Spectators firstly saw Wehrlein begin his climb back the order as he got past two-time reigning champion Jean Eric-Vergne.
On lap 10, a battle between Lotterer and Van Der Linde temporarily stopped his climb but made it past both of them a lap later.
On the same lap, a battle broke out that would last right to the end featuring Sebastian Buemi (Nissan e.Dams), Eduardo Mortara (ROKiT Venturi Racing), and James Calado of Panasonic Jaguar Racing.
Eventually, on lap 12, Buemi braked late into the final turn which opened the door to Mortara to take P4.
On the final laps, Kelvin Van Der Linde battled hard against Antonio Felix Da Costa as they wanted to catch Felipe Massa who was escaping on pace.
Da Costa lost out to Andre Lotterer and Van Der Linde following a mistake into a braking zone and Mortara kept himself ahead of Buemi in P4.
Massa, Mortara’s teammate, finished in P8 to secured their second and consecutive double-points finish.
Rowland ran in dominant form to comfortably take his second FE esports win at the Tempelhof Airport venue.
After a smooth and consistent performance throughout the virtual season, Stoffel Vandoorne was crowned the overall Race At Home Challenge champion for the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team, who topped the constructors standings too.
It would have been nice to have a proper fight on track but I’ve been unlucky in a couple of races and it’s a well-deserved series win for us.
Max Gunther of BMW i Andretti Motorsport claimed P3 as he settled four points behind Rowland in the drivers’ standings.
Stoffel Vandoorne…
The overall ABB @FIAFormulaE #RaceAtHome Challenge in support of @UNICEF Driver Grid Winner! 🏆🍾#RaceAtHome #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/AlOwpiYSDy— Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team (@MercedesEQFE) June 7, 2020
.@Michelin_Sport caps on 🧢
Your final digital podium selfie with @oliverrowland1, @svandoorne and @maxg_official #RaceAtHome pic.twitter.com/tWpddHCJkl
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) June 7, 2020
| Formula E Race at Home Challenge – 2020 Calendar | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Race | Time (British Summer Time) |
| April 18 (Completed) | Pre-Season Test Round | 15:30 BST |
| April 2 (Completed) | Round 1 | 15:30 BST |
| May 2 (Completed) | Round 2 | 15:30 BST |
| May 9 (Completed) | Round 3 | 15:30 BST |
| May 16 (Completed) | Round 4 | 15:30 BST |
| May 23 (Completed) | Round 5 | 15:30 BST |
| May 30 (Completed) | Round 6 | 15:30 BST |
| June 6 (Completed) | Round 7 | 15:30 BST |
| June 7 (Completed) | Round 8 – Grand Final | 15:30 BST |
