Lola Yamaha ABT narrowly misses out on points in Madrid

Lola Yamaha ABT has continued to make improvements, just missing out on points at the Madrid E-Prix today.

After showing promising pace in Free Practice, Zane Maloney went out first in qualifying in Group A, finishing in P5 and just missing out on the duels. Lucas di Grassi then followed in Group B, though after having to abort his final lap after a mistake led to running into gravel, he finished in P10. Zane and Lucas therefore lined up on the grid in P10 and P19 respectively.

Unfortunately, Zane was given a drive through penalty for overuse of energy on the out-lap which he served shortly after lights out, dropping him to the back of the grid. Both cars managed to save energy on the opening laps before Lucas took Attack Mode on lap 9 from P17. During his six minutes of 50kw of extra energy, he used his overtaking expertise to move up through the pack into P1 before coming in for Pit Boost. He rejoined the field in P8 but struggled to hold position, ultimately finishing in P12. Zane took a late Attack Mode but was unable to make up all the ground lost through the penalty and crossed the line in P20.

Lucas di Grassi, #11: “I think today was not the best day. There were a lot of points to improve in the wet in the morning and a lot of points on my side also to improve in qualifying. In the race I think we did a very good job, adapted our strategy and executed it well, coming from last to P1 at one point. It is great to be able to say that we led a race for Lola once again after a long time. We kept pushing for a while but unfortunately finished just on the edge of the points again.

”We have learnt a lot over the weekend but still have many elements to continue to develop, however, I thoroughly believe in this team and their ability to do this. We have a bit of time now before the next race so we are going to refocus and push even harder ahead of Berlin.”

Zane Maloney, #22: “It was a great weekend from the team pace wise. We were quick in both the dry and the wet, finished P10 in qualifying and were very close to the duels again, so I’m very proud of the team and the steps we are making. Unfortunately, overuse of energy before getting to the grid in the race caused us to get a drive through penalty which effectively meant our race was over. I’m very disappointed for everyone - for the mechanics who did an amazing job to rebuild the car after the Evo Sessions and for the engineers who gave me a fast car in qualifying. For the race to then end before it had even started is disappointing, but we will make sure we rule such issues out in future and come back stronger.”

Mark Preston, Team Principal, Lola Yamaha ABT, said: “It was a mixed weekend for the team. We showed good pace and Zane continues to progress in qualifying, narrowly missing out on the duels again. However, a software oversight on the lap to the grid caused him to receive a drive through penalty on the first lap – something we will now work together as a team to address and improve.

“Lucas started from the back of the grid after a difficult qualifying and raced well, briefly leading the E-Prix after his Attack Mode but ultimately finishing just outside of the points. With the rookie test taking place tomorrow, the team is hoping to use this time to gather more information to utilise as we focus on further improvements for the upcoming races.”

Following tomorrow’s rookie test, where Hugh Barter and Richard Verschoor will drive for Lola Yamaha ABT, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship moves to Berlin for Rounds 7 and 8 in Berlin on May 2nd and 3rd.