The end of Saturday’s Formula E race in New York was dramatic, with mixed results, as we discussed earlier. One of those who failed to understand the logic of race management was Sam Bird, a factory Jaguar driver.
With less than ten minutes to go before the finish, torrential rain poured down, cars on worn tires began to hydroplane, causing multiple accidents. Notably, the electric cars of race leader Nick Cassidy, who drove in second, Lucas di Grassi, and Stoffel Vandorn, who rolled back to 4th position shortly before, flew off the track and crashed into the crash barriers.
The Belgian Mercedes racer was passed by Robin Frijns, as well as Cassidy of Envision Racing, and the experienced Dutchman managed to orientate himself in the deteriorating conditions, braked in time and managed to overcome the 6th corner, where the accident took place.
As this was not the only collision, the race was immediately stopped with red flags with Fryins, who successfully avoided collisions, in the lead, followed by Edoardo Mortara and Mitch Evans. However, after a long hiatus, race director Scott Atkins announced there would be no continuation and the results were set for the previous, 29th lap.
Cassidy thus became the winner and di Grassi and Fries also climbed onto the podium. Formally, this corresponds to Formula E regulations, which, however, add no logic to Atkins’ decision.
Sam Bird said that because of this decision, he lost the chance to fight for the win after the restart.
“I am disappointed because if a restart had been given I would of course have had a chance to fight for the win, but the decision was made to turn back two laps,” the Jaguar driver told Eurosport. – Rules are rules, but in my opinion, if a rider has an accident, I can’t understand how he can then be on the podium or get more points than me. I cannot comprehend this.
I earned some points in the last four races, but not much, so today I wanted to show a better result. It is clear that nothing has come of it, but now we are going to prepare for Sunday’s race.”
His partner, Mitch Evans, reiterates: “Unfortunately the FIA has decided not to continue the race, meaning the results for the previous lap are fixed, and I lost all the positions I gained back when several cars crashed into barriers. I don’t understand this decision, so I end the day feeling upset.”
Source: F1 News
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