Brazilian Lucas Di Grassi was one of the main attractions of the 11th round of the Formula E World Championship, held this Saturday in New York. Right from the start, the Rokit Venturi Racing Team driver jumped to second place and started fighting for the lead with New Zealander Nick Cassidy, Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne and Swiss Sebastién Buemi. After an intense battle, which included a strong multiple crash caused by several cars aquaplaning, Di Grassi finished second, taking his 37th podium in the category and extending the record, which was already his. The victory went to Cassidy, who climbed to the top of the podium for the first time.
Brazilian Lucas Di Grassi was one of the main attractions of the 11th round of the Formula E World Championship, held this Saturday in New York. Right from the start, the Rokit Venturi Racing Team driver jumped to second place and started fighting for the lead with New Zealander Nick Cassidy, Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne and Swiss Sebastién Buemi. After an intense battle, which included a strong multiple crash caused by several cars aquaplaning, Di Grassi finished second, taking his 37th podium in the category and extending the record, which was already his. The victory went to Cassidy, who climbed to the top of the podium for the first time.
On the 28th lap, with ten minutes to go, heavy rain started to fall on the track set up in the streets of the financial capital of the United States, greatly reducing the drivers' visibility. Over the radio, Di Grassi even warned the team that there were no safe conditions on the track. But the race continued, and on the 30th lap, the three leaders - Cassidy, Di Grassi and Vandoorne - aquaplaned at the entrance of Turn 6, crashing into the barrier. *Car destroyed -* "It was the strongest crash of my career in F-E, the deceleration easily passed 15G," summarized the Brazilian. "Luckily, no one was more seriously injured. I am all sore, certainly with some bruising, and our car was in pieces. There were no race conditions on the track with so much water", said the Rokit Venturi driver.
At the same time, the track conditions caused another multiple accident and crashes on points on the track, which led the race direction to interrupt and then close the competition. With the result Di Grassi has 84 points in sixth position in the championship. The winner Nick Cassidy is in 12th, with 44. The lead is held by Swiss Edoardo Mortara, who came fifth and now has 150 points.
This Sunday, Formula E returns to the streets of New York for the 12th round, with the race starting at 2 pm (Brasília) and broadcast by TV Cultura and SporTV. The race will have 45 minutes + one lap. Before that, starting at 9:40 am, the drivers will compete for the pole position.