Moments before the second round of the ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge in support of UNICEF, Mercedes-Benz EQ's chances of securing a win in the sim series looked good. Seasoned Formula E driver Stoffel Vandoorne had managed to secure his second consecutive Julius Baer Pole Position and was sitting directly ahead of main sim racing rival Max Guenther (BMW i Andretti Motorsport), while Mercedes second driver Nyck de Vries sat at the back of the back of the pack.
But the German squad's hopes of victory were short lived. Seconds into the race, Vandoorne led Gunether and TAG Heuer Porsche driver Andre Lotterer into the first corner of the new Electric Docks circuit. Eager to distance himself from the pack, Vandoorne hurried into the chicane, cutting the turn and clipping the inside wall, causing significant damage to his car.
Instantly feeling the affects, Vandoorne gave way to Guenther as the German driver powered through into the lead. Limping along in his heavily damaged Mercedes, Vandoorne dropped to fourth while his teammate had made it up into 15th.
Despite the strong start, Vandoorne eventually dropped to fifth where he managed to hold off the competition. "The first one or two corners were so chaotic - there was so much contact and pushing on the side, from behind - from everywhere!" said race winner Guenther reflecting on events that catapulted him into the lead.
For Vandoorne, a valiant effort resulted in points for the Belgian driver, who finished two places ahead of his teammate de Vries in seventh. Despite saving what could have been a disastrous day for Mercedes, Vandoorne will be looking for another front row start in the next race around the streets of Monaco on the May 9. Will he manage to break through for his first victory of the competition? Join us to find out.