Formula E: ABT Sportsline looks forward to showdown in London

ABT Sportsline Press Release

Who will be the first Champion in FIA Formula E history? This question will be answered this coming weekend after two races (27 and 28 June) in London. In the role hunter: Lucas di Grassi from the ABT Sportsline team, who comes to the showdown 17 points behind his Brazilian countryman Nelson Piquet Jr.

Asia, South America, North America, Western Europe, Moscow – and now London: on its journey around the world, Formula E reaches the goal of its premiere season this weekend and in doing so offers motorsport fans a showdown to their liking: the recipient of the championship crown will only be revealed in the final two races of the year that are held on Saturday and Sunday in Battersea Park.

Only 23 points separate the hottest contenders Nelson Piquet Jr., Lucas di Grassi and Sébastien Buemi. Sixty points, including extra points for the best grid positions and fastest race laps, are still up for grabs. Reason: Formula E stages two races on a weekend for the first time this season. The fans experience two identical days featuring practice, qualifying and races in the near sold-out Battersea Park. Only Piquet Jr. can wrap up the title on Saturday.

ABT Sportsline is full of fighting talk before the showdown. “One thing is clear: we will fight for the title all the way to the final lap of the last race,” says Lucas di Grassi. The Brazilian mounted the podium six times in the previous nine races – more often than any other driver in the field. In Argentina, a technical defect prevented a top result. At his team’s home race in Berlin, he was subsequently stripped of his commanding race victory due to small changes on the front wing. Di Grassi: “We accepted the decision for the good of the sport and answered on the track. We will also do this in London and make up the points lost this season.”

Daniel Abt supports Lucas di Grassi in his bid for the title. The German has regularly been one of the fastest drivers in the field and has big plans for the finale. “We aim to put up another really hard fight in London and put the competition under pressure. The best way to help Lucas is to take points from the other drivers,” says Abt. The youngest driver on the grid comes to the finale with plenty of momentum: on his Le Mans debut, he celebrated a class victory and enjoyed the unique atmosphere on the podium.

“The finale in London closes the loop for our team, which started more than one year ago with the first tests at Donington,” says Team Boss Hans-Jürgen Abt. “Now we want to go one better and win the title with Lucas. Although he’s quite a few points behind, we believe in ourselves and our strengths. We are the outsiders in the title battle, but we want to use our chance.”

Photo credit: Auto Racing Live by Michelin

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Formula E: Team ABT's Lucas di Grassi extends his championship lead

Audi Press Release

Lucas di Grassi extended his lead in Formula E after finishing second in Monaco.

The Audi factory driver, who starts for the Audi Sport ABT Formula E Team in the series staged exclusively for electric powered single-seater cars, drove a spirited race in the principality and extended his lead before the final four races.

The series’ first outing in Germany follows on May 23, when the drivers line-up on the grid on the former airport Tempelhof.

Photo credit: Audi Media

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Formula E: Team ABT ready for Monaco ePrix

ABT Sportsline Press Release

Finally: Formula E arrives in Europe at the weekend. With Monaco playing host this coming Saturday (May 9), the crucial stage of the season begins for ABT Sportsline and the international competition. The Monaco resident Lucas di Grassi, who starts as championship leader in the principality, starts from the best position.

Asia, South and North America – European motorsport fans have only been able to look on from afar so far. This now changes: the race in Monaco signals the end of season dash for the flag, which takes the drivers stopover in Berlin, Moscow and London. Still five races to go before the first FIA Formula E Champion in history is crowned. Can Lucas di Grassi defend his extremely narrow championship lead on the Côte d’Azur?

The Brazilian certainly enjoys a small home advantage. “I’ve lived in Monaco for years and often ride my bicycle along many sections of the track,” says di Grassi. He has also contested a Formula 1 Grand Prix in his adopted country – incidentally, competing in the 2010 Grand Prix were seven drivers from the current Formula E field. The anticipation is great: “It’s great that Formula E finally comes to Europe. You can feel the enormous interest of the fans and media. The seventh round will be a milestone from the racing aspect: with a solid team performance we aim to establish the best possible position for the end of season dash.”

Best possible position? Daniel Abt is well-versed about this. The 22-year old youngster grabbed the headlines last time out at Long Beach after taking the first pole position for a German, before dropping way down the running order after being handed a drive through penalty for no fault of his own. “After finishing third in Miami before, it could have been another top result. But this is now history,” says Abt. “I have good memories of Monaco, I was on the podium here in GP3. A successful result would also be the perfect gig for Berlin.” Only two weeks after Monaco follows Daniel Abt’s and his team’s home race in the German capital.

The circuit in Monaco is only 1.760 kilometers long and the shortest track on the calendar so far. It runs along the Formula 1 start-finish straight, before turning right and heading directly to the harbor. After a hairpin bend, it returns to familiar sections including Tabac and the Swimming Pool corner. The simulator calculates a fast qualifying lap to be around 48 seconds. The race lasts for 47 laps.

“Monaco has a very special place in motorsport. Fantastic that we will be a part of this tradition now with Formula E – a highlight for the entire team,” says Team Boss Hans-Jürgen Abt. Preparation for the event was meticulous: during a stopover at the ABT headquarters in Donington, the four cars used by Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi went under the microscope once again. “It’s incredibly close in Formula E, just a small defect can decide a race,” says Abt. “Which is why we don’t aim to give 100 per cent in the dash for the flag, but in fact 110.” While ABT currently lurks in second place in the teams’ classification, Lucas di Grassi leads the drivers’ standings thanks to a win and three other podium finishes.

Photo credit: ABT Sportsline

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Formula E: Daniel Abt celebrates on Formula E podium in Miami

ABT Sportsline Press Release

Jubilation on the podium in Miami: In third place Daniel Abt was one of the heroes in the first round of the electric racing series in the United States.
A drop of bitterness: Abt’s team-mate Lucas di Grassi dropped all the way to ninth place due to a technical issue and had to relinquish his lead of the standings. Instead, Team ABT Sportsline improved to second place overall. 

Until two rounds before the end of the race Daniel Abt even looked like the winner of Formula E’s US debut. After starting from position four the 22-year-old German showed a strong first half of the race and with a perfect pit stop by his team took the lead. However, on the last of the total of 39 race laps Abt had to pay attention to his battery management and reduce speed. Instead of pushing for victory the youngster safely brought third place home, marking his first podium success since a GP3 race in September 2012.

Abt’s team-mate Lucas di Grassi had hopes of taking a trophy for a long time as well. The Brazilian, who had already been on the podium three times this season and won the Formula E inaugural race, had started from position six. He, too, made up positions with strong lap times and a perfect stop including the car change and was running in third place for a long time. In the final quarter of the race, however, the temperature of his battery rose so much that the power was reduced. Battling with dull weapons, di Grassi dropped all the way to ninth place.

Team ABT Sportsline, the only German outfit in the international field, has scored an amazing fourth time in five races with both drivers. The well-deserved reward: The team based in Kempten advanced to second place in the overall standings. Before the beginning of the second half of the season Lucas di Grassi, with a gap of merely seven points, is ranking in second place as well. He had been leading the standings since the beginning of the season and, most recently, retired or lost positions twice due to technical issues that were neither the team’s nor the driver’s fault.

The round in Miami was the fifth of eleven races of the FIA Formula E Championship that includes visits to Asia, Uruguay, Argentina, the USA, Monaco, Russia, Great Britain and Germany. The sixth race will follow in just three weeks from now and be held in North America as well. On 4 April 2015 Daniel Abt and company will be competing in the streets of Long Beach (USA).
 
Drivers and team director – that’s what they say

Hans-Jürgen Abt, team director: “A day of mixed emotions at the end of which the joy about Daniel’s strong showing prevails. We saw another unique Formula E event, in a great location and in front of a tremendous crowd. I’m incredibly happy for Daniel. He’s been going through some rough times but has always held his head up high and never gave up. I wish for him to have finally broken his duck. Of course we’re upset about the problems on Lucas’ car. But we’re going to carefully analyse what the causes are and then travel to Long Beach superbly prepared, for one thing is clear: the fans can look forward to a gripping second half of the season.”

Daniel Abt (D, 22, #66): “An awesome day! A huge load has come off my chest and I must admit that on the run-off lap I even had some tears in my eyes. This podium marks the end of a tough time for me: although in GP2 and also in the first Formula E races I had the performance something always prevented me from clinching a result in the points. Today everything simply fit together. This success is special also because my whole family was here. Naturally, I’m hoping for this trophy to mark the start of a strong second half of the season in Formula E.

Lucas di Grassi (BR, 30, #11): “Congratulations to Daniel! He honestly deserves this result and the trophy. I personally had problems with my battery temperature and as a result had only a reduced output on the final laps. Otherwise a podium would have been possible, so ninth place is just a matter of limiting the damage. But we’re looking ahead. We’re going to carefully analyse what the problem was, correct it and then strike back in Long Beach. We’re racing again in just three weeks from now.”

Photo credit: 
ABT Sportsline
Daniel Abt

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Formula E: Welcome to Miami: ABT on Formula E grid in Florida

ABT Sportsline Press Release

The days of the long breaks are over. Round five in Miami (USA) marks the beginning of the ‘hot stage’ of the FIA Formula E Championship season.

The days of the long breaks are over. Round five in Miami (USA) marks the beginning of the ‘hot stage’ of the FIA Formula E Championship season on Saturday (14 March). Seven races are yet to be held by the end of June and then the first champion of the series for fully electric single-seater racing cars will have been determined. One of the favourites: the Brazilian Lucas di Grassi from Team ABT Sportsline, who will be competing in Florida as the leader of the standings.

The circuit surrounds the stadium of the Miami Heat, the pit lane is located directly on Biscayne Bay and the famous Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is just 15 minutes away – could there be a more fascinating setting for a car race? A double premiere: the visit to Florida marks the first-ever race in North America for Formula E and ABT Sportsline. Sightseeing, however, is only of marginal interest to the squad headed up by Hans-Jürgen Abt, as the only German team in the field is aiming to return to the fast track.

Three races, three trophies – ABT Sportsline had made an awesome start to the new era of motorsport. Lucas di Grassi continues to lead the drivers’ standings although he was forced to retire in the round in Argentina with a technical defect. Just like his team-mate Daniel Abt the Brazilian has been preparing for the race in Miami in the simulator. The conclusion drawn by the duo: an interesting track with a very bumpy surface and several good overtaking opportunities. This promises a thrilling race day.

As always, the drivers in Formula E will be practising, qualifying and racing on Saturday within the space of a few hours. With a distance of 2.169 kilometres, the circuit in Florida is the shortest one on the calendar so far and has only eight corners in total. In the simulator Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi achieved lap times of a little less than 1m 06s in qualifying mode. The Miami ePrix starts at 16.00 local time and covers 39 laps.

Team director and drivers – that’s what they say

Hans-Jürgen Abt: “The whole squad is tremendously looking forward to the race in Miami. A two-month break is simply cruel for racers like us. Fortunately, that’s over now. From now on we’ll be driving seven races in 15 weeks – that’s the way we like it. Following three consecutive podium places, the most recent race in Argentina that we scored no points in was painful. But it also motivated all of us to put in an even more concentrated and intense effort in order to be successful. We’ve set ourselves ambitious aims for the two races in the USA.”

Daniel Abt (D, 22, #66): “I’m a huge fan of the USA and for that reason alone the race in Miami will be an absolute highlight for me. Plus, it’s perfect timing for me to finally clinch a top racing result. Obviously, I’d like to take the podium position that had already been within reach for me in Buenos Aires in the next race. The circuit in Miami may look pretty easy at first glance but with several 90-degree turns it’s an exciting challenge.”

Lucas di Grassi (BR, 30, #11): “It’s great that we’re finally hitting the track again. There’s nothing worse for a racer than having to wait for revenge after suffering a frustrating retirement like the one in Buenos Aires. Miami is a fascinating city and perfect venue for Formula E. The circuit offers a few good overtaking opportunities and is located in a fantastic setting. It’ll be a highlight for fans, teams and drivers.”

Photo credit: ABT Sportsline

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VIDEO: Formula E tech talk with Audi driver Lucas di Grassi

A nice video from ABT Sportsline featuring Formula E championship leader Lucas di Grassi. The factory Audi driver explains what is so special about Formula E cars.



Photo credit: Auto Racing Live by Michelin

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Formula E: Lucas di Grassi defends Formula E lead despite scoring no points

ABT Sportsline Press Release

After three successes in the first three races Team ABT Sportsline is travelling back to Germany from a Formula E event without a trophy for the first time.

Both the Brazilian Lucas di Grassi and youngster Daniel Abt retired from round four of the racing series for fully electric single-seater race cars in the heart of Buenos Aires. Despite the outcome Lucas di Grassi defended his lead in the overall standings.

Around 20,000 spectators lining the circuit in Argentina’s capital and fans around the world in front of their TV sets witnessed the most thrilling event in the young Formula E history. The race on the 2,440-kilometre circuit in the Puerto Madero district on the banks of the Río de la Plata was again decided only on the last laps of the total of 35 and, in António Félix da Costa, saw a surprising winner.

Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt from Team ABT Sportsline had previously been among the protagonists in Buenos Aires. Di Grassi had started from position five, advanced to third place by the eighth lap and on lap 24 took the lead. His advance had been guaranteed by consistently fast lap times, strong overtaking manoeuvres on the narrow city street circuit and a perfect car change in the pits of his squad. The joy, however, was only short-lived. With the second victory of the season already in his mind’s eye, the right rear suspension of his formula car broke and the Brazilian, while clearly leading the race, was forced to retire.

A fate that struck his team-mate Daniel Abt on the last lap as well. In the turbulent race the German had advanced to the front point-scoring positions after having started from twelfth on the grid but during an overtaking manoeuvre hit a rival and was forced to retire with a damaged car. A gesture of fairness: immediately after the race, the 22-year-old Abt accepted the blame for the accident and personally apologised.

In spite of scoring no points in Argentina Lucas di Grassi defended his lead in the overall standings, now ranking ten points in front of Sam Bird and 15 ahead of Sébastien Buemi. Like his team-mate, Daniel Abt remained without any points for the first time this season. In the teams’ classification ABT Sportsline, after four race weekends, occupies third place in the group of ten international outfits.

The round in Buenos Aires was the fourth of ten races of the FIA Formula E Championship which includes visits to Asia, Uruguay, Argentina, the USA, Monaco, Great Britain and Germany. After a short break, round five will follow in North America. On 14 March 2015 Daniel Abt and company will be racing in the streets of Miami (USA).

Drivers and team director – that’s what they say

Hans-Jürgen Abt, team director: “This was a day to forget. Today we had the chance to make a clean sweep because Lucas’ second victory of the season was already within reach. Instead, we’re going home empty-handed. But we’ve been in racing long enough to know that this is part and parcel of a long season. ‘Well done’ to the pit crew that did a zero-defects job despite the incredible temperatures. We’re keeping our heads up and are going to attack again in the USA.”

Lucas di Grassi (BR, 30, #11): “Today I almost had victory in my hands. The car felt perfect, our strategy and energy management worked perfectly, and so did the pit stop. But then, eight laps before the finish, the suspension broke without any external influence and as a result I touched the wall. We did everything right – and as strange as this may sound – we had a strong day. And I defended the lead in the Championship. We’re going to take these positive aspects with us into the short break and are going to return to the next race in Miami even stronger.”

Daniel Abt (D, 22, #66): “It was a turbulent race with many duels and overtaking manoeuvres. After a good start in which I recovered two positions I was in the middle of the action for a long time. That was good fun. Unfortunately, during an attack on the final lap, I hit Jaime (Alguersuari) in the commotion. I’m happy that he was able to continue to drive but, still, the contact was my fault.”

Photo credit: ABT Sportsline

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Formula E: ABT starts 2015 motorsport year in Argentina

ABT Sportsline Press Release

Happy New Year: Next Saturday (10 January) will see ABT Sportsline starting the 2015 motorsport year with Formula E.

 The racing series for fully electric single-seater racing cars will be holding its fourth round of the season in Buenos Aires (Argentina). Lucas di Grassi, who races for the only German team, will be travelling to South America as the leader of the standings and, together with Daniel Abt, is aiming to set the first highlight in 2015.

Having clinched podium positions in each of the first three races, the outfit from Bavaria managed a dream start on entering the new era of motorsport. The next challenge is now awaiting the leader of the standings Lucas di Grassi and his German team-mate Daniel Abt in the streets of Buenos Aires. The temporary city street circuit is 2.440 kilometres long and situated in the middle of the city’s Puerto Madero district. The area along the Río de la Plata riverbank is the latest urban renewal project in Argentina’s capital city and, following the beach of Uruguay, offers the next fascinating setting for the FIA Formula E Championship.

From a sporting perspective, the circuit again features a mix of fast sections and extremely slow hairpin turns. The fastest corner is driven at 175 km/h while the cars reach a top speed of more than 200 km/h at the end of the start-finish straight. About 70 per cent of the track is driven flat-out. In the simulator the two ABT drivers set lap times of about 1m 08.000s. Following two practice sessions and qualifying the field will be covering 35 laps in the race on Saturday afternoon.

The current state of the Championship promises suspense galore. Although Lucas di Grassi, with a victory, a second place and a third place to his credit, has achieved an 18-point advantage over Sébastien Buemi and Sam Bird, this is only a snapshot, considering the fact that 25 points are awarded for a victory. The gap in the teams’ classification is even smaller, as the factory-backed e.dams-Renault team is leading the standings with a mere two-point advantage over ABT Sportsline.

The race in Argentina marks the second visit to South America before Formula E, in March and April, will be holding two rounds in the USA. At the beginning of May the electric racing cars will be travelling to Europe for the season’s final sprint in Monaco, Berlin and London.

Drivers and team director – that’s what they say

Hans-Jürgen Abt: “We’ve never started a motorsport season as early as with Formula E – I like that because it gives us the opportunity to begin the year with a highlight. Three trophies in three races are a nice string of success that we’d obviously like to continue. But we can also tell how close the competition has become at the top following the first third of the season. The fans can be particularly pleased about this as they can expect to experience a spectacular and thrilling Formula E year.”

Daniel Abt (D, 22, #66): “It’s definitely a small dream for any racer to start the year with a race in the heart of Buenos Aires. I recharged my batteries during the holiday season and look forward to our next round in South America. I feel very comfortable in Formula E and although my speed was good on the first three weekends I also suffered a lot of misfortune. But that’s history: at the beginning of 2015 everything’s been reset to zero and a new, positive roll can start – preferably next Saturday in Argentina.”

Lucas di Grassi (BR, 30, #11): “Three races, three times on podium – things have been going superbly so far. But we can’t afford to rest on these laurels: the test day following the race in Uruguay has provided the other teams with important information. That’s why the competition in Argentina will even be fiercer. But we’re perfectly prepared, have analysed all the data after the last race and familiarised ourselves with the circuit in the simulator. Buenos Aires is a fast track with a few tricky corners. The start-finish straight is extremely long and I like the fast part with the subsequent long turn 3. In the hairpin there’s plenty of room for overtaking manoeuvres but the slow turns 4 and 7 probably offer opportunities for overtaking as well.”

Photo credit: ABT Sportsline

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VIDEO: Highlights of FIA Formula E round 3 in Punta del Este, Uruguay

Highlights of  FIA Formula E round 3 in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Audi Sport ABT Formula-E Team performed very well once again with Lucas di Grassi.

The Audi factory driver finished the race in a fine third place. The Brazilian took three podiums in three races this year.

Abt Sportsline official Punta del Este race report is here.



Photo credit: Auto Racing Live by Michelin

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Formula E: Christmas at the top of the standings for ABT

ABT Sportsline Press Release

THREE RACES, THREE TIMES ON PODIUM AND A COMMANDING TOP SPOT OF THE FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: LUCAS DI GRASSI FROM TEAM ABT SPORTSLINE HAS CLEARLY MADE HIS MARK ON THE FIRST THIRD OF THE SEASON.

The spectators in the sold-out stands along the waterfront of the tourist resort witnessed a spectacular race with numerous overtaking manoeuvres, several safety car periods and an action-packed final sprint as well. Yet again, Lucas di Grassi was in the right place at the right time and scored valuable points trailing Sébastien Buemi and Nelson Piquet jr. After taking victory in the inaugural race in Beijing and finishing the race in Malaysia three weeks ago as the runner-up di Grassi is the only driver in the field to have clinched three trophies.

Even in qualifying the Brazilian had not taken any risks and in sixth place secured a solid starting base for the 31-lap race. Following a good start and a small tussle with rivals di Grassi was running in seventh place for a long time, made up ground after a perfect pit stop that included switching to the second car and two laps before the finish captured his podium place.

His team-mate Daniel Abt in conditions of nearly 30 degrees air temperature again became the victim of a technical defect. Shortly after the start and o two more occasions a fault in the battery management system that is identical for all the teams caused his car to go into safety mode and switch off. Abt had to restart the electronics, which made him drop to the rear of the field. But ‘giving up’ is not part of the vocabulary of the 22-year-old German racer from the Allgäu. After switching to the second car the youngster showed his fighting spirit, drove what was by far the fastest lap of the race and scored two points for it.

After three of nine scheduled events Lucas di Grassi is leading the driver standings with an 18-point advantage over the competition. In the team standings ABT Sportsline is trailing the French factory-backed squad of Renault by just two points.

The round in Punta del Este was the third of ten FIA Formula E Championship races, which include visits to China, Uruguay, Argentina, the USA, Monaco, Great Britain and Germany. The third event will follow immediately after New Year’s in South America. On 10 January 2015 Daniel Abt and company will be racing in the streets of Buenos Aires (Argentina).

Photo credit: ABT Sportsline

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Formula E: ABT heads to Formula E beach party as leaders of the standings

ABT Sportsline Press Release

Formula E is picking up momentum: Just three weeks after the visit to Malaysia the racing series for fully electric open-wheel racing cars will be running at Punta del Este (Uruguay) next Saturday, 13 December.

ABT Sportsline and Lucas di Grassi are travelling to round three of the inaugural season as leaders of the teams’ and drivers’ standings – and intend to keep these spots.

Shortly before the third Sunday of Advent, sunshine 30 degrees Celsius, the pit lane directly on the beach: Punta del Este at the southern tip of Uruguay provides a dream setting and the perfect stage for Formula E’s third event. As always, practice, qualifying and the race are held on Saturday, within the space of just a few hours. The ‘Formula E Punta del Este ePrix’ will start at 19.00 CET and be broadcast live on Sky.

The aims of the only German team in the international field are equally simple and ambitious. Daniel Abt, Lucas di Grassi and the ABT squad are aiming to spend Christmas at the top of the Formula E standings. Before the race in Uruguay ABT is leading the teams’ classification with a one-point advantage. Following his victory in the opening race and second place in Malaysia Lucas di Grassi is ranked in first place of the drivers’ standings.

As in all Formula E races the drivers will again be competing in Punta del Este on a temporary city street circuit which, in this case, runs directly alongside the beach. The 2.808-kilometre track has 20 turns (12 left-handers and 8 right-handers), a full-throttle distance of around 70 per cent of the total track distance and allows top speeds of near-200 km/h to be reached. The lap time achieved by Daniel Abt while preparing in the simulator was 1m 15s – with all data just being estimates as tests are not possible on the circuit.

Following two visits to Asia the third round of the season will kick off a string of four races in South and North America before the FIA Formula E Championship arrives in Europe in May. After races in Monaco and Berlin the grand finale will be held in Great Britain’s capital London at the end of June.

Drivers and team director – that’s what they say

Hans-Jürgen Abt: “In Beijing and Putrajaya we experienced two successful Formula E events – both in terms of the organisation and the sport on track. I’m sure that Punta del Este with its unique location directly on the beach and its spectacular circuit will be another highlight. We’re delighted to be travelling to Uruguay as the leaders of both classifications and are definitely feeling comfortable in the role of the hunted. The competition is becoming increasingly fierce from race to race, that’s why our aim, again, is to do another zero-defect job in every respect.”

Daniel Abt (D, 22, #66): “I’m very much looking forward to the race in Uruguay. The track looks exciting and the location is simply cool. For me this is also my racing debut in South America. My aim in Punta del Este, clearly, is to finish on the podium. I’ve now started from third place twice in succession and only finished in tenth place each time. So the speed is there and now I’ve just got to catch a flawless race. We’re going to meticulously prepare for this and tackle the race day with concentration.”

Lucas di Grassi (BR, 30, #11): “Punta del Este for me is one of the highlights on the Formula E calendar. The track runs directly alongside the beach and is very demanding. It’ll be a tough race because the battle at the front is becoming closer and closer. We’re going to take our car to the limit. For me Punta is a home race in a way as São Paulo and the Brazilian border aren’t so far away. Friends, family and fans are going to be on location and support our squad.”

Photo credit: ABT Sportsline

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Formula E: ABT captures lead of the standings in Formula E

ABT Sportsline Press Release

Inaugural race winner Lucas di Grassi on finishing the race in Putrajaya (Malaysia) as the runner-up defended his top spot in the driver classification. The next race of the series for full-electric open-wheel racing cars will be held in just three weeks from now in Punta del Este (Uruguay).

At the rear of the field after the first turn and on podium a little less than an hour later: The crowd lining the impressive city street circuit in Putrajaya, about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, experienced a thrilling race day. Lucas di Grassi, who competes for the only German outfit in the international field, was the protagonist yet again. The Brazilian had touched a wall in qualifying and had to start the race from the third from last grid position as a result. With a perfect strategy, fortune during a few safety car periods, and strong lap times the crowd-pleaser took second place at the end of the 31-lap race.

Interest was focused on Daniel Abt as well. The German, who is only 21, qualified for position three on the grid, outperforming names like Senna, Heidfeld, Piquet and Trulli. A technical problem at the start when the motor initially failed to pick up power caused Abt to drop to the last position at the beginning of the race. The team opted for an extremely risky strategy and called the youngster into the pits to switch cars after only eight of 31 laps. As a result, Abt led the field for a long time but in the second car had only a small amount of energy left so that he ‘anaemically’ lost ground on the final laps. Still, the point he scored for tenth place is the deserved reward for another terrific performance.

After two of ten races Lucas di Grassi, who had won the inaugural race in Beijing in mid-September, continues to lead the driver standings. In the team classification ABT Sportsline, thanks to the point-scoring finishes of its two drivers, has now taken the lead as well. The squads of Virgin Racing (whose driver Sam Bird won the race in Putrajaya) and e.dams-Renault are trailing ABT Sportsline in positions two and three of the standings.

The round in Putrajaya was the second of ten races of the FIA Formula E Championship which includes visits to China, Uruguay, Argentina, the United States, Great Britain and Germany. Fans won’t have to wait as long for the next race of the series as before because on 13 December – one day before the third Sunday of Advent – Daniel Abt and company will be competing on the waterfront of Punta del Este (Uruguay).

Drivers and team director – what they said

Hans-Jürgen Abt, Team Director: “This success again belongs to the whole team. Daniel did a fantastic job in qualifying and didn’t lose his cool after the setback at the start. And Lucas, as well, showed extremely strong nerves. Making the kind of showing he did just three hours after having slipped in qualifying proves true strength. Last but not least, the pit crew was perfectly prepared for any contingency as well and after the hot race took exactly the right decisions. I’m proud of all the members of our squad who remained cool in the heat of Malaysia.”

Lucas di Grassi (BR, 30, #11): “Congratulations to the race winners, as well as to the organisers of this perfect race weekend. Naturally, I hadn’t dared to dream of such a result following the qualifying session. Before the race we said to ourselves that we wouldn’t give up – this strength of will has paid off and is one of our great fortes. Working together with this team is huge fun. With two more races scheduled in the next seven weeks Formula E is now really picking up momentum – I can hardly wait.”

Daniel Abt (D, 21, #66): “This has been a day with ups and downs. I was happy to start from third place again in this strong field. Unfortunately, due to a technical issue, I lost ground at the start. The early pit stop was obviously a risk but our only chance to recover. It’s a shame that in the end tenth place was again the best we could do. It’s a great feeling to be at the top of the standings with the team – in Uruguay we’re going to attack again.”

Photo credit: ABT Sportsline

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