Qualifying
The qualifying session started out with two groups, with Antonio Felix Da Costa, Jean-Eric Vergne, Edoardo Mortara and Jake Dennis getting through to the duels, where Mortara and Vergne were against each other and Da Costa and Dennis were against each other. In group two, Norman Nato, Pascael Wehrlein, Dan Ticktum and Nyck de Vries made it to the duels.
After the quarter finals [the first part of the duels], Ticktum, Dennis, Wehrlein and Mortara made it through to the semi final where Mortara and Dennis would go against each other and Wehrlein and Ticktum would face it out.
The final was between Dennis and Wehrlein, where we saw Wehrlein take pole and two points to his name. However, since he got a three place grid penalty for wheel spinning in the pit lane, Dennis would start in first position.
Race
As we headed into the first lap and first corner of the new season, the two Mahindra drivers collided with each other. This forced Ticktum pit for new tyres and rejoin at the back of the pack. At this point, Dennis did not try to fight for first place, choosing instead to save tyres and energy.
Mortara was awarded a five second penalty for not following race instructions as he did not stop at the first corner.
During the race, the first attack mode of the season was activated by Vergne. Attack mode is pressed to boost the attack and they activate by having three different options: two and four, three and three or four and two. Using attack mode during the race gives the car more speed.
The two Nissans clashed, causing a puncture for Nato. There was a brief yellow flag as Nato retired from the race. Whilst that was happening, Ticktum received a drive through penalty but retired from the race and will instead serve the penalty at the next race in Mexico.
Mortara was hit into the wall by Lucas Di Grassi. This brought the safety car out. Both drivers retired from the race.
A yellow flag then came out for Mitch Evans. During the yellow flag, Pepe Marti crashed into the back of Da Costa and spun. This caused a red flag.
The race restarted with a one-lap shootout to decide the podium and first place in the race opener. Dennis took the win, whilst Rowland and Cassidy settled for second and third.
Top ten:
- Jake Dennis
- Oliver Rowlands
- Nick Cassidy
- Pascal Wherlien
- Nico Muller
- Maximillian Gunther
- Joel Eriksson
- Sebastian Buemi
- Nyck de Vries
- Zane Maloney
Written by Ellie.
Edited by Alexandra.
Featured image credit: autoracing1.com
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