Formula E: Sam Bird dominates 2nd half of NY doubleheader

After picking up pole position for Round 11 of the 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in New York City, Sam Bird bounced back for a dominant win around the challenging Brooklyn street circuit, repaying Jaguar Racing’s efforts from a difficult Saturday that saw the team rebuild his car.

The win puts Bird atop of the Drivers’ standings with 81 points as the all-electric racing series heads to his home race in London. However, on the other side of the Jaguar garage, the team were left ruing a potential one-two finish after Evans suffered severe damage to his car whilst trying to defend second position.

Evans misfortune lead to second podium for Envision Virgin Racing’s Nick Cassidy, the Kiwi rounding out a solid weekend in New York City after finishing third on Saturday.

On the final step of the podium was DS TECHEETAH’s Antonio Felix da Costa. The reigning champion stealthily making his way up from seventh on the grid to secure vital points for his title defense as the series heads towards the final four races of the season.

Joel Eriksson (SWE), Dragon Penske Autosport, Penske EV-5, leads Edoardo Mortara (CHE), Venturi Racing, Silver Arrow 02, Tom Blomqvist (GBR), NIO 333, NIO 333 001, and Oliver Turvey (GBR), NIO 333, NIO 333 001 during the New York City E-Prix II at Brooklyn Street Circuit on Sunday July 11, 2021 in New York City, United States of America. (Photo by Sam Bagnall / LAT Images)

Bird crossed the line with a comfortable four-second lead, jubilantly singing “it’s coming home” and congratulating the team after bouncing back from a difficult race on Saturday.

With his second win for 2020/21, Bird heads to his home race in London in the lead of the Drivers’ standings.

Behind Bird it was another podium in New York City for Cassidy, topping off a competitive weekend for the rookie. On the final step of the podium was Da Costa claiming some vital points for his championship defense, moving up to second in the standings after picking up third and the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap.

Next up it is London’s calling for the 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with the Heineken London E-Prix Rounds 12 and 13 in two weeks on July 24 and 25.

Quotes

Sam Bird

“You’re never giving up, always pushing with the team, always believing in yourself, believing in the equipment underneath here, and just executing the plan. And we did that. Just absolutely perfect today. So proud of everybody.”

Gerd Mauser, Chairman, Jaguar Racing, Nick Cassidy (NZL), Envision Virgin Racing, 2nd position, Sam Bird (GBR), Jaguar Racing, 1st position, and Antonio Felix da Costa (PRT), DS Techeetah, 3rd position, on the podium during the New York City E-Prix II at Brooklyn Street Circuit on Sunday July 11, 2021 in New York City, United States of America. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)

NICK CASSIDY (NZL)

“The team has been working incredibly hard all year, in the factory and at the track. The hours they put in are second to none. In this championship, it’s just really tough and I’ve had the luxury of being in group 3, group 4. Under no illusions, I’m just happy how things are coming together and the work we are doing there”

ANTONIO FELIX DA COSTA (POR)

“I’m really happy that we put in the hours of work last night before going home. The guys, all the engineers and mechanics made sure we were a little bit better today. You know, we qualified 7th, the car was amazing and we were able to come through the field. I felt like I was really strong but as soon as I got super close to the car in front, I struggled a little bit with energy”

Race Results

Sam Bird Jaguar Racing 46:15:909
Nick Cassidy Envision Virgin Racing +4.167s
Antonio Felix da Costa DS TECHEETAH +4.840s
Pascal Wehrlein TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team +7.154s
Andre Lotterer TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team +7.762s
Alexander Sims Mahindra Racing +16.286s
Norman Nato ROKiT Venturi Racing +24.983s
Robin Frijns Envision Virgin Racing +25.084s
Alex Lynn Mahindra Racing +25.405s
Maximilian Guenther BMW i Andretti Motorsport +26.009s
Sergio Sette Camara DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT +26.341s
Stoffel Vandoorne Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team +30.781s
Mitch Evans Jaguar Racing +30.957s
Lucas di Grassi Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler +31.970s
Sebastien Buemi Nissan e.dams +32.985s
Jake Dennis BMW i Andretti Motorsport +35.692s
Edoardo Mortara ROKiT Venturi Racing +35.924s
Nyck de Vries Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team +36.339s
Oliver Rowland Nissan e.dams +51.384s
Rene Rast Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler +59.694s
Tom Blomqvist NIO 333 FE Team +1.05.327s
Joel Eriksson DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT +1.07.701s
Oliver Turvey NIO 333 FE Team 29 Laps
Nyck de Vries Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team 0 Laps

 

Driver Standings

Sam Bird Jaguar Racing 81
António Félix da Costa DS TECHEETAH 76
Robin Frijns Envision Virgin Racing 76
Edoardo Mortara ROKiT Venturi Racing 72
Nick Cassidy Envision Virgin Racing 70
Jean-Éric Vergne DS TECHEETAH 68
René Rast Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler 61
Mitch Evans Jaguar Racing 60
Pascal Wehrlein TAG Heuer Porsche 60
Nyck de Vries Mercedes-EQ 59
Oliver Rowland Nissan e.dams 59
Lucas di Grassi Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler 54
Stoffel Vandoorne Mercedes-EQ 54
 Maximilian Günther BMW i Andretti Motorsport 54
Jake Dennis BMW i Andretti Motorsport 54
Alexander Sims Mahindra Racing 44
Alexander Lynn Mahindra Racing 34
André Lotterer TAG Heuer Porsche 32
Nico Müller DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT 30
Sébastien Buemi Nissan e.dams 20
Norman Nato ROKiT Venturi Racing 17
Oliver Turvey NIO 333 FE Team 13
Sérgio Sette Câmara DRAGON / PESNKE AUTOSPORT 12
Tom Blomqvist NIO 333 FE Team 5
Joel Eriksson DRAGON / PESNKE AUTOSPORT

 

Team Standings

Envision Virgin Racing 146
DS TECHEETAH 144
Jaguar Racing 141
Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler  115
Mercedes-EQ  113
BMW i Andretti Motorsport  108
TAG Heuer Porsche  92
ROKiT Venturi Racing  89
Nissan e.dams  79
Mahindra Racing  78
DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT 42
NIO 333 FE TEAM 18