Zane Maloney achieved his best qualifying in Formula E, making the duels and starting in P7
Both Zane and Lucas spent time leading the race, with the team running P1 and P2 for a few laps for the first time
Having dropped back through the pack to finish in P15 (Zane) and P17 (Lucas), the team now aims to convert developments in pace into results in the race
Rounds 8 of Season 12 takes place tomorrow at 16:05 CEST / 15:05 BST
Lola Yamaha ABT experienced many positives in the first of the weekend’s races in Berlin, with strong qualifying and the first time it has run 1-2 in a race.
The team showed positive pace in the free practice sessions, with Zane 3rd in 300kW in FP2. In qualifying, Zane made the duels for the first time after finishing P3 in his group. He was knocked out in the quarter final by eventual pole sitter Edoardo Mortara (Mahindra Racing) and lined up on the grid in P7. Lucas unfortunately touched the wall in qualifying on his first push lap which ended his session and meant he started in P19.
The race started strongly, with Zane up to P5 and Lucas up to P13 in the first lap. The progress continued well, with both cars also on similar energy to those around them. On Lap 6, Zane led a Formula E race for the first time in his career. The lead changed hands a few times before Lucas overtook four drivers in one move at Turn 1 to lead on Lap 11 with Zane following into P2. The two drivers then spent a few laps leading the race for the first time for Lola Yamaha ABT, before dropping back to save energy in the slip stream. The teammates came in for pit boost one after the other with less than 15 laps remaining. Unfortunately, they started to drop down the field and struggled for pace once everyone took Attack Mode in the final laps of the race. Ultimately Zane finished in P15 and Lucas in P17.
Lucas di Grassi, #11: “We had a fantastic first part of the race today coming from the back to P1, with good energy following our strategy. However, we didn’t have the ultimate pace, especially in Attack Mode, and our pit stop was slow. That put us outside of the points unfortunately but we will keep fighting and giving 100% and I’m sure a good result will come.”
Zane Maloney, #22: Today we had a very good qualifying and made it into the duels for the first time, so I’m very happy with how the session went. When we got to the duels it’s a bit difficult for us to make it through with 350kW but I think the team did a very good job to give me a car to achieve my best qualifying result so far in Formula E. In the race, the first 15 laps were quite strong being with all the big manufacturers and top teams but then we fell back halfway through to the end. However, we race here again tomorrow so I’m looking forward to doing everything I can in qualifying and learning from today to hopefully be able to then maximise that in the race.”
Mark Preston, Team Principal, Lola Yamaha ABT, said: “Zane making the duels for the first time is an excellent result for the team, and a true testament to the progress we’ve made. In the race, it was great to see Zane lead his first laps in Formula E and for the two Lola Yamaha ABT cars to be running together in P1 and P2 for a few laps. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to convert this to points but we will learn from today to build on this development when we race again tomorrow.”
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues tomorrow with the second race of the weekend in Berlin, with qualifying at 11:40 CEST and the race at 16:05 CEST. Find out where to watch the action where you are here.
SHARE ON
