After an exciting Formula E Qualifying session, the pack were ready for the challenge of the Monaco E-Prix.
Dan Ticktum lined up on pole after a great lap in the final duel of Qualifying 1. It was the Brit’s second pole position in the championship, but his first in the Principality. Joining him on the front row was Nyck de Vries, followed by Maximilian Günther and Mitch Evans. Behind them were Pascal Wehrlein and Nico Müller. The fourt row consisted of Joel Eriksson and Antonio da Costa. Jean-Eric Vergne and Felipe Drugovich rounded out the top ten.
Notably, Sebastien Buemi was handed a three place grid-penalty after impeding Günther in Qualifying. Buemi had to line up 18th on the grid.
Green flags at the Monaco E-Prix
As the grid lined up, it was time for Race 1 of the Monaco E-Prix. Ticktum had a great launch off the line to keep the lead. Lap 1 of 29 had the top four keeping their positions. However, Evans announced that he had a puncture after contact with Günther in the hairpin. Despite this, the Jaguar driver kept his place until he was overtaken by Günther on Lap 3.
Meanwhile, Norman Nato was under investigation for tyre pressure infraction. da Costa moved well through the field to make up three places.
Though there were no incidents in Lap 1, Monaco always brings chaos. Nick Cassidy attempted to go down the inside of the two cars in front. While avoiding contact with Nato in front, he ended up pushing Jake Dennis into the wall. With significant damage, Dennis retired from Race 1.
Track clear as they went again
The marshals were quick to clear the track, and the lights were green again for Lap 6. Lap 9 saw Müller and Vergne make contact as Müller attempted to overtake. However, Vergne quickly took the place back. Soon after, the two continued to battle for eighth place, with Müller ultimately coming out on top.
Müller continued to fight his way through the pack as he overtook Eriksson to move up another place. Meanwhile, Cassidy received a 10-second penalty for the earlier contact with Dennis. Yellow flags were out on Lap 13 as the two Porsche drivers made contact. Wehrlein was forced to pit earlier than originally planned after Müller went into the back of him, causing a puncture to the rear left tyre of Wehrlein. Additionally, the contact had Müller lose his front wing.
Rowland also revealed he had a puncture over the radio. Lap 15 saw the drivers start to take the Pit Boost. da Costa took the lead from Ticktum with three minutes of Attack Mode left. On Lap 19 Ticktum took the Pit Boost, while Maloney was noted for a Pit Boost infraction.
10 Laps to go of Race 1 of the Monaco E-Prix
With only ten laps to go, most drivers had already taken their Pit Boost, while more still had Attack Mode left. The top three were De Vries, Evans, and da Costa, with pole-sitter Ticktum in fourth. Drugovich, sitting in fifth, had the least energy left with only 26% on Lap 22.
Vergne received a 5-second penalty for causing a collision with Müller at Turn 19. With six laps to go, the drivers were eager to see how the first race of the weekend would finish.
The battle for the lead was on, with gaps narrowing at the front. Da Costa kept attempting to attack Ticktum, but the CUPRA KIRO driver kept the third place for the moment.
Lap 27 ended with a dramatic end for Evans as Ticktum attempted to go down the inside after the exit of the tunnel. The race went full-course yellow after the incident, as the incident was under investigation. What began as a great day for Ticktum turned sour.
The top three were De Vries, Evans, and Ticktum, as the investigations were underway, the result could change at any moment. Behind the top three were Marti, Drugovich and Buemi. Green flags were out as the final lap took place.
After being strong in the first days, Nyck de Vries once again delivered a strong performance. The Dutchman stormed across the finish line to take Mahindra’s first Formula E victory in five years.
