Another win for Renault in Monaco

The seventh ePrix of the FIA Formula E Championship season took the drivers and teams to Europe for the first time. Packed stands witnessed the on-track performances of the Spark-Renault SRT01_E single-seaters in the streets of Monaco, as the race was won by Sébastien Buemi (e.dams-Renault), ahead of the Brazilians Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport Abt) and Nelson Piquet (NEXTEV TCR). The Swiss ace therefore became not only the first driver to convert from pole position, but also the first to record a second race win in the ground-breaking category.

This Saturday, 9 May – Europe Day – the FIA Formula E Championship made its much-awaited bow on the Continent in Monaco against the backdrop of an iconic motorsport setting, which is also highly committed to sustainable development.

On a modified version of the famous Monte-Carlo track, Renault Sport once again demonstrated the success of the architecture and supervision work it has done on the Spark-Renault SRT_01E cars: safety, reliability and performance.

At this iconic motorsport track, today’s intense race capped all the hard work we have put in over the last three years.

Patrice Ratti

In free practice, Nicolas Prost (e.dams-Renault) and Bruno Senna (Mahindra Racing) took it in turns to top the timing screens, before Sébastien Buemi grabbed pole position ahead of Lucas di Grassi and Jérôme d’Ambrosio (Dragon Racing).

The top three remained unchanged after an opening lap that saw a spectacular accident involving Bruno Senna, who emerged unscathed. Following the safety car period, Sébastien Buemi and Lucas di Grassi moved clear, whilst Nelson Piquet caught Jérôme d’Ambrosio off guard to grab third place.

Despite pitting early to change cars, Lucas di Grassi was unable to get past Sébastien Buemi, who went on to take the chequered flag first. The first to convert from pole position, the Swiss also became the only driver thus far to win two ePrix in the championship. Behind him, Lucas di Grassi held off a late comeback from Nelson Piquet, enabling him to hold onto his lead in the overall standings. In the teams’ standings, e.dams-Renault extended its lead.

As a curtain-raiser to the ePrix, Renault put on a spectacular show featuring Renault Zoé and Renault Twizy. The large crowds enjoyed the eVillage various activities and were able to get a close-up look at the show car sporting e.dams-Renault livery.

The FIA Formula E Championship heads to Berlin’s Tempelhof airport on 23 May for round eight of the series.

Patrice Ratti, Managing Director of Renault Sport Technologies: “This first Monaco ePrix not only opens a new chapter in the rich history that links the Principality and Renault, but also in the history we are creating every day with electric cars. Once again, we have witnessed the incredible professionalism of the Automobile Club de Monaco teams, and we look forward to seeing them again in two weeks’ time for the F1 and Formula Renault 3.5 Series races. You could see how the spectators really enjoyed test driving the vehicles from the Renault ZE range!

At this iconic motorsport track, today’s intense race capped all the hard work we have put in over the last three years. Our heartfelt congratulations go to Sébastien Buemi and our partners at e.dams-Renault. Having demonstrated the technical reality of electric racing with the Spark-Renault SRT01_E, and whilst preparing for the challenge of competing against rival manufacturers in season two, we aim for both titles, drivers and teams, with e.dams-Renault as early as this year.”

Renault Sport