Lola Yamaha ABT claimed its first podium in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with Lucas di Grassi finishing in second place at the Miami E-Prix.
• Lucas di Grassi claimed the new team’s first points with second place finish
• Podium came after di Grassi started from seventh on the grid
• Zane Maloney finished in 19th following a 5-second penalty
Lola Yamaha ABT claimed its first podium in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with Lucas di Grassi finishing in second place at the Miami E-Prix.
In qualifying, the team made the duels for the first time following a strong lap time from di Grassi, meaning he started from seventh on the grid. An effective race strategy combined with good pace and skilful energy management meant he crossed the line in fifth, however after a red flag disrupted many teams’ Attack Mode strategies, he claimed P2 and 18 points for Lola Yamaha ABT.
The new team’s first points came in only its fifth race, after a period of testing and development in the two-month race gap after Jeddah.
Zane Maloney also showed promising pace and energy management but a penalty due to incorrectly rejoining the track after missing the chicane meant he ultimately finished in 19th.
Lucas di Grassi, #11
“It’s been an amazing weekend for the team with a massive improvement in performance. All the work that the team has done during the gap after Jeddah has paid off. I’m so pleased to have achieved the first podium with the Lola Yamaha ABT team. All of the engineers, mechanics and management should be extremely proud as they are putting their mind and souls into this project and with this result, it’s starting to pay off.”
Zane Maloney, #22
“Although it’s been a tough weekend the pace has been good and we finished with an amazing result for the team. Massive congratulations to Lucas and the whole team for its first podium. From my side it was a well-executed race, we just got a little unlucky with the timing of the safety car. It’s still very early in my career in Formula E and we are still learning a lot, so I’m looking forward to working hard with the team in this small gap to be even better in Monaco, my favourite track.”
Till Bechtolsheimer, Chairman, Lola Cars
“This was the first race we were able to focus just on performance and try to unlock the potential of the package we have. To finish second here in Miami in only our fifth race in Formula E is incredible and a testament to the unbelievable amount of hard work put in by the whole team. With all the hours the team has been putting in this result is hugely rewarding and really amplifies the team’s motivation as we look to continue to develop and improve together.”
Thomas Biermaier, CEO, ABT
“Everyone across all three partners has put in a lot of hard work over the past eight weeks resulting in a very good race weekend with an unexpected podium – something which the whole team deserves. Tonight we celebrate and from Monday we turn our attention to Monaco.”
The success comes after Lola confirmed its technical partnership with Yamaha Motor will continue for GEN4.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues with a double-header in Monaco on May 3rd and 4th. Find out how to watch where you are here.
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