Formula E ready to electrify Marrakesh

12/11/2016 ePrix, Formula E, Marrakesh ePrix, News

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Formula E arrives in Africa for the very first time this weekend, racing at an interesting track around the streets of Marrakesh. After two intense Free Practice sessions and an eventful qualifying, everything is set for the race, which rookie Felix Rosenqvist will start from pole.

Lucas di Grassi (ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport) and Sébastien Buemi (Renault e.dams) topped FP1 and FP2 respectively, but they were not the only ones who put in brilliant performances during the practice sessions: Mahindra Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist was impressing everyone with his brilliant pace and driving, and looked likely to make it to Super Pole. The Swede did not disappoint: after Jean-Éric Vergne’s misfortune with his Techeetah in Super Pole, where he was not able to make it out of the pits in time to start his lap, last year’s European F3 champion Rosenqvist could move up to P1 to secure the team’s first ever pole position.

“Since Hong Kong, we knew our strategy was good. This is a harder track, our strategy was to play safe”, explained the smiling poleman who, despite playing safe, turned out to be the quickest of all.

POLE POSITION! Never expected that in my second race weekend in @fiaformulae – top job from all… https://t.co/WxPwxci83R

— Felix Rosenqvist (@FRosenqvist) November 12, 2016

Reigning champion Buemi starts from P2 and is likely to battle for the win from the moment the red lights go out. Buemi did not find his best pace, but the fight for the win he will surely have with Rosenqvist promises to be spectacular. As proven in Hong Kong, both NextEV NIO cars are also ones to watch, with good results earned in qualifying (Nelson Piquet Jr. P4 and Oliver Turvey P8).

DS Virgin Racing’s effort to get their cars ready for qualifying following two bruising practice sessions should be highlighted: Sam Bird got a strong P3 with a promising race ahead. Teammate José María “Pechito” López did not have luck on his side, only getting P13 on a track he’s driven in before; nevertheless, the Argentinean should provide a good spectacle in this ePrix.

Currently second in the championship, di Grassi could only manage to get P12; nonetheless, the last race in Hong Kong was a clear example of what he is capable of doing on track, and we can expect to see him fighting a podium finish after some laps. His teammate Daniel Abt is starting in P6, a great starting position that will surely allow him to move up some places, and perhaps even lead to a podium or P1 finish.

The inaugural race on African soil, surrounded by the charm of the city of Marrakesh, and on a special and tricky track – it should all combine to give us a real spectacle and hopefully a race to remember. The second round of this exciting third Formula E season is not to be missed!