Nyck de Vries takes 2021 Formula E championship in a dramatic Berlin race as Nato takes maiden win

Nyck de Vries takes 2021 Formula E championship in a dramatic Berlin race as Nato takes maiden win

Mercedes’ Nyck de Vries has won the 2021 Formula E championship in a dramatic finale in Berlin, while Norman Nato claimed his maiden victory.

De Vries went into the final leading the championship but had a lot of work to do from 13th on the grid.

Mitch Evans looked set to be the favourite given that he was starting from third on the grid with Jake Dennis the outsider from ninth.

There was drama from the off as Evans stalled at the start, several cars avoided his stricken Jaguar except for Venturi’s Edoardo Mortara.

With both Evans and Mortara out of the race at the start, the race was red-flagged due to the amount of debris left out on track.

Once the race restarted, Dennis was eighth putting him in likely title contention with de Vries out of the points.

The drama continued as Dennis lost control of his BMW into Turn 1, clattering the barriers.

From then on, the destiny of the title was in de Vries’ hands with his three main rivals out of the race.

De Vries held on to finish eighth to secure the 2021 Formula E crown.

It was double-delight for Mercedes as Stoffel Vandoorne’s podium ensured Mercedes took the teams’ championship.

Vandoorne led the race from pole but lost out to eventual race winner Nato and Nissan’s Oliver Rowland.

Nato had to defend hard from Rowland at the Safety Car restart, caused by Antonio Felix da Costa’s stricken Techeetah.

The Frenchman won by 2.2s ahead of Rowland, with Vandoorne completing the podium.

Andre Lotterer fought hard to finish fourth ahead of Mahindra’s Alexander Sims.

Pascal Wehrlein finished sixth ahead of Sam Bird, who got past de Vries on the final lap.

Rene Rast started from the pit lane but recovered to finish ninth, while Tom Blomqvist picked up a rare point for the NIO outfit.

BERLIN E-PRIX (2) – RESULTS

POSITIONDRIVERNATIONALITYTEAMGAP
1Norman NatoFRAROKiT Venturi Racing36 Laps
2Oliver RowlandGBRNissan e.dams+ 2.270s
3Stoffel VandoorneBELMercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team+ 2.837s
4Andre LottererGERTAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team+ 7.105s
5Alexander SimsGBRMahindra Racing+ 8.453s
6Pascal WehrleinGERTAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team+ 8.847s
7Sam BirdGBRJaguar Racing+ 10.473s
8Nyck de VriesNEDMercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team+ 11.108s
9Rene RastGERAudi Sport ABT Schaeffler+ 12.189s
10Tom BlomqvistGBRNIO 333 FE Team+ 12.679s
11Jean-Eric VergneFRADS Techeetah+ 13.437s
12Robin FrijnsNEDEnvision Virgin Racing+ 13.748s
13Alex LynnGBRMahindra Racing+ 14.366s
14Sebastien BuemiSUINissan e.dams+ 14.692s
15Maximilian GuntherGERBMW i Andretti Motorsport+ 15.528s
16Joel ErikssonSWEDragon / Penske Autosport+ 15.940s
17Nick CassidyNZLEnvision Virgin Racing+ 16.306s
18Sergio Sette CamaraBRADragon / Penske Autosport+ 16.961s
19Oliver TurveyGBRNIO 333 FE Team+ 21.076s
20Lucas di GrassiBRAAudi Sport ABT Schaeffler+ 35.190s
DNFAntonio Felix da CostaPORDS TecheetahDNF
DNFJake DennisGBRBMW i Andretti MotorsportDNF
DNFEdoardo MortaraSUIROKiT Venturi RacingDNF
DNFMitch EvansNZLJaguar RacingDNF

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