‘Emotional’ Bird wins Formula E in Saudi after Alex Lynn crash

RIYADH: Britain’s Sam Bird, behind the wheel of a Jaguar, won the second Diriyah Formula E race in the Saudi capital on Saturday as compatriot Alex Lynn survived a terrifying crash.

Bird finished ahead of Dutchman and pole-sitter Robin Frijns of Virgin Racing and French driver Jean-Eric Vergne in a DS Techeetah.

However, Vergne was later penalised by 24 seconds for not having taken his second “attack mode” and finally finished 12th.

Portugal’s Antonio Felix da Costa, in another DS Techeetah, moved into the final podium spot instead.

An “attack mode” gives drivers an extra boost of power but they have to use it through a designated area off the racing line.

“I was a bit emotional in the car,” said winner Bird.

“It was a big move and a big step for me moving away from what was my family in Envision Virgin Racing to join Jaguar Racing, but they’ve welcomed me with open arms and I’m pleased to deliver this win.

He added: “The whole point of the opening two rounds was to come here and score decent points and if you’d said I’d come away with 25 points, I’d have taken that.

“Robin was so respectful and a pleasure to race against which is exactly what you’d expect of his calibre. It was really, really good.”

The race ended three laps early when red flags came out following an accident suffered by Lynn whose Mahindra car skidded and overturned on the tight circuit.

“Following his accident in today’s ePrix @ alexlynnracing is conscious, talking and on his way to hospital for checks,” the Mahindra team tweeted.

Friday’s opening race of the floodlit double-header was won by Nyck de Vries in a Mercedes.

It was a problematic second race in the desert for Mercedes who needed permission from the stewards to take part.

That was after Mercedes client Venturi driver Edoardo Mortara had crashed heavily into a barrier following a rearbraking system failure in a practice start.

The next round of the all-electric series takes place in Rome on April 10.

Revised results

1. Sam Bird (GBR/Jaguar) 29 laps

2. Robin Frijns (NED/ Virgin Racing) at 2.194sec

3. Antonio Felix da Costa (POR/DS Techeetah)

4. Sergio Sette Camara (BRA/Dragon Penske) 12.817

5. Nico Mueller (SUI/ Dragon Penske) 13.924

World championship standings

1. Nyck de Vries (NED/ Mercedes) 29 pts

2. Sam Bird (GBR/Jaguar) 25

3. Robin Frijns (NED/Virgin Racing) 22

4. Edoardo Mortara (SUI/ Venturi) 18

5. Antonio Felix Da Costa (FRA/DS Techeetah) 15.