Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans claimed victory on the streets of Rome for the second time in his Formula E World Championship career, pulling away from the field leading Envision Racing’s Robin Frijns and Mercedes-EQ’s Stoffel Vandoorne in third.
Poleman Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes-EQ) held onto the lead, fending off Envision Racing’s Robin Frijns in P2 as the pack moved around the 19-turn, 3.385km Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR street circuit in Rome.
Nudged from behind by ROKiT Venturi’s Edoardo Mortara, Mahindra Racing’s Oliver Rowland hit the barrier on Turn 7, causing cars to back up behind the British driver.
Shortly after, Nissan e.dams’ Max Guenther crashed into the barrier on Turn 11, bringing the Porsche Taycan Safety Car out while his stricken race car was recovered.
With 35 minutes left on the clock, racing commenced with Vandoorne out in front leading Frijns and Mercedes-EQ Nyck de Vries.
Sandwiched between the Mercedes-EQ drivers, Robin Frijns was fighting for the lead, biding his time to make a move on Vandoorne.
With 29 minutes remaining, DS TECHEETAH’s Antonio Felix da Costa in fourth took ATTACK MODE to use the extra power to close in on the top three.
Down into Turn 4, Frijns made his move on Vandoorne, pulling past the Mercedes driver on the inside of the turn to take the lead. The following lap, both Mercedes’ drivers took ATTACK MODE – allowing da Costa to move into second – to close in on race leader Frijns.
With his ATTACK MODE used and Vandoorne still in the higher power mode, the Mercedes driver slipped into second behind Frijns.