Filippi laments missed points opportunity

Luca Filippi was left to wonder what could have been at his home race in Rome, having missed out on setting a qualifying time before getting caught in a four car pile up before the car swaps.

One of two home favourites in the Eternal City, Filippi was hoping for a return to the points but was put on the back foot early on as he failed to cross the line in time to start his 200kW lap in qualifying.

Starting 17th on the grid, the Italian made good progress in the first stint and showed a good turn of pace, but approaching the pit stops team-mate Oliver Turvey and Mahindra Racing’s Nick Heidfeld found themselves in the barrier after battling with the Dragon Racing of Jose Maria Lopez, with Filippi unable to avoid the stricken cars. Just to add insult to injury, the Venturi of Edoardo Mortara also joined the party as he rear-ended Filippi.

Crush hour in Rome…#RomeEPrix pic.twitter.com/220WNPCNHn

— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) April 14, 2018

The 32-year-old was able to continue and swap into his second car, but the damage was already done and Filippi fell too far back to achieve a points-paying position, despite enjoying strong pace.

“It was a very exciting day – so many people, a great crowd and excitement around NIO,” said Filippi. “The race was very good for me, I had good pace and I was strong.

“The second stint was good; I caught again the group in front, but it was too late to convert this in to points. I would like to thank the fans for their support on Fanboost, it was the third time this year that I received it, so a big thank you to our fans.”

Filippi will be replaced at the Paris E-Prix by series returnee Ma Qing Hua, but it remains unclear as to whether the Italian will return for Berlin.