Formula E News: Eventful Monaco ePrix Shakes Up 2024 Standings
In the midst of the Monaco spring, the Formula E paddock gathered for an electrifying weekend of racing. Despite the unseasonable chill in the air, with temperatures hovering around 13°C on the track and 15°C in the air during the first test session, the drivers and spectators alike were undeterred.
As the sun began to rise over the picturesque Monaco circuit, British driver Sam Bird suffered a steering issue, resulting in a crash that forced him to withdraw from the session. His compatriot, 19-year-old Taylor Barnard, stepped in to replace him behind the wheel of the McLaren.
As the morning wore on, the temperature rose, and the atmosphere transformed. The prestigious Monaco ePrix is considered the crown jewel of the Formula E calendar 2024, and each team had prepared something special for the occasion.
DS Penske stole the spotlight with their dazzling Grand Gala livery, adorning their cars, outfits, and helmets with gold accents on a black background. Drivers Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne made a discreet start to practice, but they rallied in Group B qualifying, propelling their DS E-TENSE FE23s into the quarter-finals.
In a thrilling display, Vandoorne outpaced his teammate to advance to the semi-finals, where he faced off against Nick Cassidy’s Jaguar. The Briton put in a solid performance, qualifying for the final against Pascal Wehrlein’s Porsche.
The final showdown between Porsche and DS Automobiles (through DS Penske) promised an exhilarating duel, and it was Wehrlein who ultimately emerged victorious. Vandoorne secured a hard-fought second place, with Vergne finishing fourth on the grid.
As the lights went out at 3:03 pm, the weather took a slight turn for the worse, but the start of the race proceeded without incident. The calm was short-lived, however, as Edoardo Mortara’s Mahindra veered off the track, prompting the safety car to intervene.
Vandoorne took the lead, with his teammate Vergne in fifth position. “I handled the start of the race very well,” Vandoorne reflected. “I took the lead and managed to hold on to it by activating my first Attack Mode. It’s just a shame that I didn’t manage to do the same with the second attack mode.“
After the safety car’s second intervention, following Nico Müller’s (Abt Cupra) exit, the drivers waited anxiously for the race directors’ decision on the number of extra laps. In the end, the race was extended from 29 to 31 laps, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
Although the Jaguar strategy ultimately sealed the victory, DS Penske celebrated a successful operation, with Vandoorne and Vergne claiming 3rd and 4th places respectively. The result propelled the team up the Formula E standings, as they solidified their position in the championship.
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