Formula E kick-off in Moscow
As the Formula E circuit descended on Moscow for the highly anticipated ePrix race around the Kremlin on June 6, the who’s who of the Formula E family gathered for an evening of fun and entertainment at the Warsteiner Electric Thursday Party.
Now a legendary fixture on the pre-race agenda for Formula E aficionados, this VIP party was held Thursday night before the race at the Mumiy Troll Club in the heart of Moscow, where the Audi Sport ABT Formula E Team pilots – Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi – mingled with fans, other drivers and team members to party down. WARSTEINER, the official partner of ABT Audi Sportsline Team, provided the chilled portion of the evening’s entertainment with its refreshing beverages while everyone enjoyed the company, the music as well as some fun games.
Going into the race on Saturday, the Audi Sport ABT Formula E Team had 115 points and was in third place for the championship, but only one point behind second place. With the Kremlin providing an imposing backdrop, the 20 sleek electric cars zipped around the 2.39 km track, each driver fiercely battling for position and those precious championship points.
After the Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr., racing for the Chinese NEXTEV TCR Formula E Team, took the lead shortly after the start, his countryman di Grassi was in hot pursuit for most of the race, eventually cutting Piquet’s lead to a mere 1.6 seconds. Although di Grassi’s car proved to be faster overall, its battery started to overheat just four laps before the finish, forcing di Grassi to throttle down and letting Piquet get the checkered flag. His teammate Daniel Abt took fifth place, also scoring valuable driver and team points.
With di Grassi and the ABT Audi Sportsline Team both in second place in the driver and team standings, respectively, all eyes are now on London where the last two races are scheduled in unique double-header fashion in Battersea Park on June 27 and 28. As di Grassi points out: “There are 60 points up for grabs and anything can still happen.” But before the battle for driver and team championship is concluded, let’s plan for another dynamite Warsteiner Electric Thursday party before the races …it’s going to be epic!
