Closed Circuit: ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport in Hong Kong

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What looked like it might be a disappointing start to the season for ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport ended in celebration when Lucas Di Grassi took second in the first race of the season. Both drivers had a disappointing start to the race, caught up in the opening lap chaos that eventually brought an early end to Daniel Abt’s race.

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After a strong free practice session in the morning, the ABT team were probably expecting a strong qualifying to start off the year. That hope disappeared with the sausage kerb at the chicane. The kerb removed, Di Grassi had trouble on his 200wK lap and was sent into the wall, causing damage to his front left wheel and bringing out the red flag.

Daniel Abt suffered a little better, qualifying seventh, but both drivers found themselves mixed up in the opening lap drama and were given the meatball flag for damaged wings. The rear wing damage meant Abt would have to swap cars early in the race, whilst Di Grassi was able to get away with just a nose change. It meant that Abt would run out of useable energy before the end of the race.

ABT used the safety car period perfectly. Di Grassi pitted a lap earlier than the rest of the field, leap frogging most of his competitors and coming out in the leading pack. The Brazilian couldn’t challenge for the lead of the race, but was able to take a well deserved podium for the team.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying” tab_id=”1461512175704-af49c202-f1e45043-b572308b-fbd7″][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong;” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Lucas%20Di%20Grassi%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2219%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Daniel%20Abt%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%227%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%5D” title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: race” tab_id=”1461512175763-831c2584-42cf5043-b572308b-fbd7″][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong;” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Lucas%20Di%20Grassi%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%222%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Daniel%20Abt%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2216%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%5D” title=”Team mate comparison: race”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The team says: “…“” tab_id=”1461512258191-0360a250-a68c5043-b572308b-fbd7″][vc_column_text]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] Hans-Jürgen Abt: “Congratulations to Formula E for such a spectacular opening race in a fascinating location. And congratulations to my guys and Lucas for giving their all, their courage and dedication. Of course we had some luck today, but we also worked hard for it. This day full of mixed feeling and a happy end will carry us with momentum in the new season.[/perfectpullquote]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Lucas’ trophy is great for the team’s moral. Almost more important is, however, the knowledge that we have produced a race car together with our partners that is on the pace and capable of winning the race. This increases the desire for the next eleven races to come this season.” [/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461512214611-352b21f1-c5375043-b572308b-fbd7″][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong;” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22ABT%20Schaeffler%20Audi%20Sport%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2218%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Championship standings”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Lucas Di Grassi” color=”green”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion style=”outline” color=”green” c_icon=”chevron” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Di Grassi’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512310664-cbeb96df-4af05043-b572308b-fbd7″][vc_column_text]

It’s a little early in the season, but Di Grassi’s drive might be up for the drive of the year. After his accident in qualifying, the Brazilian would be starting on the back row of the grid. Di Grassi was caught up in the opening lap drama, hitting the rear of Ma Qing Hua’s car with his front wing. It meant he would have to drop to the back of the field when he was called into the pits to replace the nose of his ABT Schaeffler Audi machine.

It would be a slow climb up through the field for the rest of the first stint for Di Grassi as he tried to keep out of trouble. The Brazilian came into the pits a lap before the rest of the field, narrowly avoiding a marshal as he hurried out of the pits. The clever timing meant he was able to undercut most of the field.

Once the rest of the field had pitted, Di Grassi was up to second, with only Sebastien Buemi ahead of him on the track. He wasn’t able to challenge Buemi for the win, falling away from the e.dams driver as he managed his energy to the end of the race. Di Grassi finished a clear second, his fourteenth podium in twenty two races.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512310716-c8bf2e2d-dbb95043-b572308b-fbd7″][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Starting position; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43;44; 45″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Lucas%20Di%20Grassi%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2219%3B%2017%3B%2016%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2012%3B%2012%3B%2018%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%209%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%3B%206%3B%203%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Di Grassi: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers” tab_id=”1461512375203-dc62694e-d0395043-b572308b-fbd7″][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:02.381.

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Best time in FP2: 1:03.458.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:08.094.

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Best time in the race: 1:03.648.

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[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“This second place feels like a win, I’m overjoyed. The race showed once again that it’s really only over when you take the checkered flag in Formula E. Thanks to my team that was brave today and showed that we never give up. This is an important message to the competition for the new season.”[/perfectpullquote]

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Abt was one of the big losers on the opening lap. After qualifying seventh, the German was hit by someone behind in the opening lap frenzy, and was forced to pit with a damaged rear wing. The pit stop but Abt at the back of the field and, with only one car left, battery management would be crucial if he wanted to finish the race.

There was no climbing up through the field like his team mate, Abt remaining at the back of the pack as he tried to set the fastest lap to take points from what would be a disappointing weekend for the German. After thirty four laps, Abt was forced to retire, without the fastest lap and without points.

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Best time in FP1: 1:02.960.

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Best time in FP2: 1:03.609.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:03.615.

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Best time in the race: 1:03.263.

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[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Not the start into the season I was hoping for. After starting P7, I’ve been hit at the back and lost my rear wing, which ended my race. Very unfortunate, but that’s racing. On to the next one.”[/perfectpullquote]

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Image courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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