Closed Circuit: ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport in Berlin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Another race weekend, another two trophies for the German outfit. In front of their home crowd, the local heroes proved they made their homework and scored important points in their battle for P2 in the constructor’s championship.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”THE TEAM” 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=”The team’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512664883-ac9eb41a-467a5043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_column_text]

Every race is equally important for a team, but driving on home soil always pushes every team member additionally. And they would need it. Lucas di Grassi needs big points to keep the pace with Sebastien Buemi (Renault e.dams) in the battle for the driver’s championship and the team itself has to look into the rear-view mirror as Mahindra Racing is closing the gap for P2.

Both drivers were able to score the required points. While the Brazilian title contender finished 2nd and 3rd, his German team mate crossed the line in 6th and 4th position. For the moment, the ABT outfit was able to repel Mahindra’s attack onto the 2nd position.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying” tab_id=”1461512175704-af49c202-f1e45043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Lucas%20di%20Grassi%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2219%3B%2012%3B%201%3B%2016%3B%202%3B%2013%3B%201%3B%207%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Daniel%20Abt%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%227%3B%206%3B%2016%3B%2018%3B%209%3B%2016%3B%208%3B%208%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-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Lucas%20di%20Grassi%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%222%3B%205%3B%203%3B%201%3B%202%3B%20%3B%202%3B%203%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Daniel%20Abt%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%22%20%3B%206%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%2013%3B%206%3B%204%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-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_column_text]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I think that the spectators Berlin enjoyed two fantastic days in Berlin. Congratulations to the organizer and Formula E.”[/perfectpullquote]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“My thanks go to my team, which fought its way to the front after some difficult opening practice sessions and was never fazed by the pressure of a home race. Two trophies, four times in the points and a pole position is a great result, which certainly also pleased our partners that supported us here so fantastically.”[/perfectpullquote]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Hans-Jürgen Abt, Team Principal[/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings (points)” tab_id=”1461512214611-352b21f1-c5375043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22ABT%20Schaeffler%20Audi%20Sport%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2218%3B%2036%3B%2060%3B%2091%3B%20115%3B%20115%3B%20144%3B%20171%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=”Lucas di Grassi’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512310664-cbeb96df-4af05043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_column_text]

Saturday

Lucas di Grassi only had one mission this weekend: to close the gap to his rival Sebastien Buemi. Therefore he urgently needed to score as many points as possible, since the Swiss is always a save candidate for the race win. And di Grassi delivered: pole-position in a thrilling qualifying. It had already been a tight decision for the Superpole shootout, but the gap to DS Virgin Racing’s José Maria Lopez was only one thousandth.

Di Grassi had a smooth start into the race and led the race until the penultimate lap before the car swap, when he had to let Felix Rosenqvist (Mahindra Racing) through due to high battery temperatures. After the pit stops, he was not able to seriously attack the new race leader and therefore finished in 2nd position. It still was a very good day for the Brazilian: Buemi was excluded due to irregular tyre pressures.

Sunday

His Sunday did not go as expected. He had to start the race from the 7th position, but showed a great recovery. The car’s performance was better than in the previous race and he was able to make his way onto the podium with some great overtakes. Especially the battle with Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) was a hard one due to the Schaeffler drive train’s acceleration deficit.  At the end of the weekend di Grassi cut off 11 points of Buemi’s championship lead.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512310716-c8bf2e2d-dbb95043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][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; 46;” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Saturday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%221%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B1%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B2%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sunday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%227%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B5%3B5%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B3%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Lucas di Grassi: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers” tab_id=”1461512375203-dc62694e-d0395043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_column_text]

Saturday

Best time in FP1: 1:10.116 (P9)

Best time in FP2: 1:08.345 (P4)

Best time in qualifying: 1:08.312 (P5, P1 in superpole)

Best time in the race: 1:11.070 (lap 27)

Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 48.879s (+0.879s)

Sunday

Best time in FP3: 1:09.032 (P4)

Best time in FP4: 1:08.206 (P9)

Best time in qualifying: 1:08.223 (P7)

Best time in the race: 1:11.507 (lap 32)

Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 48.419s (+0.419s)

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lucas di Grassi says: “…“” tab_id=”1461513354622-5577f4b1-edaf5043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_column_text]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“That was a fantastic weekend with a fantastic backdrop. Thanks to all the fans who supported us. I think that together with Mexico the atmosphere in Germany is the best.”[/perfectpullquote]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Two trophies on one weekend is a great result. It shouldn’t however obscure the fact that we must still work enormously hard to reduce the deficit we have in the standings.”[/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings (points)” tab_id=”1461513704972-abbca216-e1a55043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Lucas%20di%20Grassi%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2218%3B%2028%3B%2046%3B%2071%3B%2089%3B%2089%3B%20110%3B%20125%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Championship standings”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Daniel Abt” color=”green”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion style=”outline” color=”green” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Daniel Abt’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512547855-b3644413-70595043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_column_text]

Saturday

From 8th position, Daniel Abt had a pretty good start and was already 6th after the first lap. His pace in the first car was good and he was quickly able to create a gap between him and the cars behind and he was constantly within a second to Sam Bird (DS Virgin Racing) in front of him. A few laps before coming to the pits for the mandatory car-swap, Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) had saved enough energy to push his car a second faster than Abt, which he used to overtake the German.

After the pit stop, Abt also lost one position to Renault e.dams’ Nicolas Prost, which is why he found himself in 8th position. In the second car, the local hero was not able to go the pace of the cars around him, which gave championship leader Sebastien Buemi (Renault e.dams) also the chance to go through – which finally did not have any impact on his result due to Buemi’s exlusion.

Sunday

Like his Brazilian team mate, Daniel Abt had to start the second race from the 4th row. Abt was able to follow di Grassi through the field and showed that he could race on the same pace. Unlike his team mate, Daniel Abt was not able to overtake Jean-Eric Vergne that easily. When trying to go through using his Fanboost energy, the Frenchman closed the door and both cars touched slightly. Fortunately, the come-together did not damage anything. When Vergne started to struggle, Abt got his chance and put himself into the final 4th position.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512548457-fc72c98b-1a615043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][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; 46;” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Saturday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%228%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B7%3B9%3B8%3B7%3B8%3B8%3B8%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B9%3B8%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sunday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%228%3B8%3B8%3B8%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B7%3B6%3B6%3B6%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B5%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B4%3B%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Daniel Abt: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers” tab_id=”1461512549057-0abe4d02-33bc5043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_column_text]

Saturday

Best time in FP1: 1:09.473 (P12)

Best time in FP2: 1:08.929 (P15)

Best time in qualifying: 1:08.620 (P8)

Best time in the race: 1:11.241 (lap 31)

Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 48.716s (+0.716s)

Sunday

Best time in FP3: 1:09.473 (P11)

Best time in FP4: 1:08.034 (P5)

Best time in qualifying: 1:08.348 (P8)

Best time in the race: 1:11.701 (lap 28)

Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 48.263s (+0.263s)

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Daniel Abt says: “…“” tab_id=”1461513386630-de10c68d-06ab5043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_column_text]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Of course I was eager to mount the podium as I had done last year here in Berlin. Even so, I had a lot of fun in the race, a few tough battles and now I’m delighted about two good races and a great haul of points.”[/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings (points)” tab_id=”1461513723518-ee223709-f56c5043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defb”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Daniel%20Abt%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%208%3B%2014%3B%2020%3B%2026%3B%2026%3B%2034%3B%2046%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_column_text]

Sven Kannenberg | e-racing.net

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Images courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]