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Things were looking strong for championship contender Nick Cassidy (Envision Racing) in London. He’d launched from the first place grid slot, and got off to a fantastic start by taking ATTACK MODE faultlessly whilst maintaining the lead. His championship rival, Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti), was in third and Cassidy’s Envision teammate Sebastien Buemi was wedged between the two.
However, later in the race the two Envision teammates got into a tangle and Cassidy sustained damage to his front wing that became lodged under his car. Forced to slow down and limp back to the pits, he eventually retired and Dennis was able to finish on the podium and be crowned champion.
“I don’t know what to feel," said a dispondent Cassidy post-race. "I just can’t believe the series of events. The start was a dream. There’s not too much I can add. Probably just take the moment to say well done to Jake [Dennis]. He had a really solid season and really deserved the championship. I think that we had all the ingredients and a potential to also get the job done, but there's no would, could, should in motorsport the results and kudos to him so well done.”
When asked to talk about his incident with Buemi, Cassidy replied: “No, a bad memory.”
Talking to other media after the race, Cassidy explained that he let Buemi pass later on in the race to help Envision.
“I had already done my two ATTACK MODES, and I actually let Sebatien pass. Trying to be nice for the team, trying to help the team out and trying to help his race. I offered to give up the lead even though my race was won, I lifted off and I let him pass to support him.
“We're also fighting for the Teams’ World Championship and I like to think I'm a good team player. Maybe I'm too good a team player.
“It's a big deal to win the Teams’ and like I said, I thought I could still win the race and support his race. But so I did my two ATTACKS. The cars in front of me had not done their ATTACK MODES, so I was just trying to help him.
“My team has been great at supporting us both. I'm not here to give negative comments about the team or the situation. I think we got kicked in the nuts in Rome. I got kicked in the nuts a bit today. Rome was not intentional on anyone's part today, today it was maybe. I just needed to put my head down and win.”
It's all still to play for in the Teams' running with Jaguar TCS Racing ahead of customers Envision Racing on wins alone, level on 268 points, with TAG Heuer Porsche clinging on in third with 241 while Avalanche Andretti sit fourth on 236 points.