Formula E news - Nyck de Vries wins maiden Formula E race as new season kicks off in Saudi Arabia

ByAlexander Netherton

Published 26/02/2021 at 19:55 GMT

Nyck de Vries, the Mercedes-EQ driver, won his maiden Formula E race on Friday night in Saudi Arabia. Victory came at the Diriyah street circuit for the Dutchman, under pressure from Pascal Wehrlein and Rene Rast. Second place went to ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Edo Mortara by four seconds, with Jaguar Racing’s Mitch Evans in third.

Mercedes-EQ driver Nyck de Vries won his first Formula E race in the first round of the new season at Diriyah in Saudi Arabia.

He beat ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Edo Mortara by four places, with Jaguar Racing’s Mitch Evans in third.

The Dutch driver had to deal with safety car interventions, and there was pressure from Pascal Wehrlein and Rene Rast that kept him looking over his shoulder.

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Watch: Nyck de Vries wraps up commanding win in Diriyah

While De Vries kept a lead of a second ahead of the chasing pack, it compromised his energy overconsumption and left him in danger in the closing stages.

The win after leading every lap from pole position in the first of two back-to-back races under floodlights in Diriyah was a first for De Vries, who won the Formula Two title in 2019.

Briton Sam Bird, who won last year's season opener and has since switched to Jaguar from Envision Virgin Racing, retired from the race after a collision with compatriot Alex Lynn's Mahindra.

• MERCEDES' NYCK DE VRIES SMASHES LAP RECORD TO TAKE POLE IN DIRIYAH
• WATCH: NYCK DE VRIES WRAPS UP COMMANDING WIN IN FIRST OF THE EPRIX IN DIRIYAH DOUBLE HEADER

Reigning champion Antonio Felix da Costa of Portugal finished 11th for DS Techeetah.

Formula E will return on Saturday for another round, with the ePrix due to take on Diriyah’s Riyadh Street circuit once more.

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