Emotional moments on the Formula E podium in the heart of Berlin: at his home race, Daniel Abt produced one of his strongest races ever and in doing so clinched second place and his best result to date in the electric racing series. Team mate Lucas di Grassi made it a perfect day after finishing third. Before the final weekend in London (July 2/3) only a single point separates di Grassi and Berlin winner Sébastien Buemi.
The days in Berlin belong to Daniel Abt: the youngster from ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport completed a genuine PR marathon before the weekend, fulfilled innumerable requests for autographs and interviews and was one of the most popular men in the paddock. The German then came up trumps on the race track on Saturday: third on the grid, a superb race and a podium party in front of many thousands of cheering fans..
“I’m absolutely delighted because I really wanted to mount the podium at my home race,” said Daniel Abt. “Thanks to my entire team, to every partner and friend who helped turn these days in Berlin into an unforgettable event.” Starting the race from third on the grid, Daniel Abt first overtook a competitor before defending his second place convincingly with a spotless performance. His mechanics made yet another valuable contribution to the success with another perfectly timed pit stop including changing car.
Lucas di Grassi celebrated with his team mate on the podium: after a mediocre qualifying and eighth on the grid, the Brazilian upped the tempo once again in the race: di Grassi scythed through the field making great overtaking maneuvers and an equally precise pit stop on the way to third place. It is his seventh podium finish in the eighth race of the season. “First of all congratulations to Daniel, who thoroughly deserved second place after his excellent qualifying and race,” said di Grassi. “Today I got the maximum out of my starting position. We can be proud of ourselves once again.”
Going into the final two races, Lucas di Grassi now holds a one point lead over Sébastien Buemi from the Renault factory team, who won the race unspectacularly in Berlin. In the teams’ classification ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport sits only eleven points behind the French Equipe. Including the points for pole position and the fastest race lap, 60 points are still up for grabs in London on July 2–3. Lucas di Grassi: “The biggest winner today is the Formula E fan: they didn’t just enjoy a fantastic event in Berlin, but can now look forward to an unbelievable finale.”
The race along the Karl-Marx-Allee and the Strausberger Platz overshadowed by the television tower on the Alexanderplatz was not just a complete success due to the grandstands being sold out and the huge supporting programme. “Compliments and congratulations to Formula E and all the organizers: after the spectacular event in Paris several weeks ago, the race in Berlin proved to be yet another highlight,” says Team Director Hans-Jürgen Abt. “We’ll now paint the town red and then put everything that we have into the weekend in London.”
