Diriyah E-Prix: Mercedes and Michelin light up the Saudi sky

The MICHELIN Pilot Sport EV rose to the various challenges it faced in Diriyah, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to help defending champ Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ FE Team) and last season’s runner-up Edoardo Mortara (RoKit Venturi Racing) to claim the first two rounds of the 2021/2022 FIA ABB Formula E World Championship.

This year’s more powerful cars, the city’s initially sandy, resurfaced track, contrasting temperatures and the more stringent tire allocations introduced for 2022 put the Michelin Pilot Sport EV to a tough test as Formula E’s Season 8 kicked off with two night-time races.

“Our partners were once again happy with the versatility and consistency of our Formula E tire,” reports Mirko Pirracchio, the new manager of Michelin Motorsport’s Formula E program. “All the drivers had an allowance of three sets of new tires to cover the weekend’s familiarization laps, three free practice sessions, two qualifying sessions and both races. We consequently saw some interesting strategies and everyone was able to push to the limit in complete confidence thanks to the Michelin Pilot Sport EV’s famed longevity.”

The first pole position of the campaign was pocketed by Vandoorne (Mercedes-EQ FE Team) who topped the order after Friday’s exciting new qualifying format, while the opening e-prix produced a one-two finish for the Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 02/Michelin in the hands of de Vries and Vandoorne.

The second Diriyah E-Prix was won by RoKit Venturi Racing’s Edoardo Mortrara whose team-mate Lucas di Grassi (3rd) almost made it a lock-out for Mercedes in Saudi Aribia. However, Saturday’s second place was secured by Robin Frijns (Envision Racing). The weekend was marked by a number of accidents, tangles and safety car periods which suggest another thrilling championship in store for fans of the all-electric series over the months to come.

2022 Diriyah E-Prix – Final Positions:

Race 1:

1. Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ FE Team), 41 laps

2. Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes-EQ FE Team), +0.636s

3. Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti Formula E), +8.802s

Etc.

Race 2:

1. Edoardo Mortara (RoKit Venturi Racing), 35 laps

2. Robin Frijns (Envision Racing), +0.451s

3. Lucas di Grassi (RoKit Venturi Racing), +0.912s

Etc.