A tough round 14 ended up with no points for Cassidy as Buemi bounced back to take a fantastic 5th
It was another scorching hot day in the Italian capital, and the race came to the boil on lap two. With Cassidy running second and looking to take an early lead from championship rival and eventual race winner Jake Dennis, Mitch Evans hit Cassidy’s Envision Racing machine in a dramatic-looking crash and an unfortunate incident, effectively ending Evans’ race and Cassidy’s quest for victory.
Somehow, Cassidy managed to keep his cool and rejoin and an unlikely points finish looked on the cards, but despite a tenacious fight back, there were to be no points for his 14th place finish, as the gap to Dennis at the championship summit increased to 24 points with just two races left this season.
For Buemi and Envision Racing the outcome of the second race of the weekend was the culmination of an incredible piece of teamwork. 24 hours previous and Buemi’s car lay in tatters following a huge multi-car shunt. The team worked through the night to rebuild the Swiss driver’s racer, and he repaid them with fifth at the flag, and valuable points to keep the team top of the Teams’ Championship with just two races in London remaining.
Our results after an eventful race in Rome!🏁 #RomeEPrix pic.twitter.com/xAcQuU7DSq
— Envision Racing (@Envision_Racing) July 16, 2023
QUALIFYING
Hitting the track in qualifying Group A, Cassidy immediately sailed to the top of the timesheets. And that’s where the Kiwi racer stayed until the dying seconds, ending up second, signalling his intent for the afternoon, and sailing into the duels.
The fact that Buemi made it into qualifying was a minor miracle. The Envision Team did an incredible job to repair his severely damaged car following a huge crash in the opening race of the weekend and the Swiss driver set the pace in the early phase of qualifying. Buemi ended Group B qualifying a superb second fastest, making the knock-out phase for the second consecutive day.
Cassidy faced Dan Ticktum in the opening quarter-final, beating the British driver and progressing into the semi-finals. Cassidy’s Envision Racing team-mate Buemi took on Norman Nato in his quarter-final, only to make a rare error, handing the win to the Nissan driver and ending up eighth on the grid.
Cassidy faced his fellow New Zealander Evans in the first semi-final, and after a close one-lap face off Cassidy was imperious and made the final for the first time in 2023. The big question was, could he take the pole position?
The answer was no, but it was close. Racing against title rival Dennis, who secured the three valuable points for claiming pole position, the Envision Racing driver couldn’t quite match his quarry, but ensured a second place starting slot for the second race of the weekend.
THE RACE
When the lights went out to start round 14 of the 2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, it was Dennis who made the best start, followed by Cassidy who was passed halfway around the opening lap by Nato. Behind, Buemi dropped two places, running in 10th throughout the opening laps.
Cassidy retook second place, relegating Nato to third, and then fourth, as Evans passed to set about hassling the Envision Racing man. Cassidy was forced to apply some deft defensive skills to resist his fellow Kiwi as he looked to reel in Dennis up front.
Any hope of a fourth win of the season for Cassidy came to a dramatic end on lap two. An out of control Evans spun into the rear of Cassidy at Turn 7 as ahead, the Envision Racing driver looked to pass Dennis for the lead. The resulting contact sent the Jaguar flying over Cassidy’s car, which was forced down the escape road.
Remarkably, Cassidy managed to rejoin the race as a safety car was called to bunch up the pack. Even more remarkably, the previously airborne Evans pitted and rejoined the race, only to retire after a handful of laps. When the dust settled, Cassidy found himself in 18th with team-mate Buemi running sixth, focused on bagging vital points in the Teams’ Championship.
By lap 10 Cassidy fought back to 11th, one place outside the points, as Buemi slotted into fourth place with the race lead well within view. Up front Dennis and Sam Bird battled hard for the lead.
Buemi took his first Attack Mode phase on lap 17, dropping from fourth to sixth, as Dennis headed the race, followed by Nato and Bird, and in short order Buemi as he reclaimed fourth. Two laps later, Buemi took a longer six minutes of Attack Mode, rejoining in fifth behind the Maserati of Edoardo Mortara.
As the drivers started the final lap, Cassidy’s quest for points looked to be just out of reach as the Envision Racing driver held 13th place. Further ahead Buemi pursued Mortara for fourth, but was forced to settle for fifth as Dennis took the victory ahead of Nato and Bird. Cassidy ended his Rome E-Prix in 14th.
With two races left in what has been a thrilling season, all eyes turn to Envision Racing’s home race at London ExCeL, and both the Drivers’ and Teams’ titles are still well within reach.
Drivers’ standings (after Rd 14):
1. Jake Dennis, 195pts
2. Nick Cassidy, 171pts
3. Mitch Evans, 151pts
4. Pascal Wehrlein, 146pts
5. Jean-Éric Vergne, 107pts
8. Sébastien Buemi, 82pts
Teams’ standings (after Rd 14):
1. Envision Racing, 253pts
2. Porsche Formula E Team, 239pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 228pts
4. Avalanche Andretti, 218pts
5. DS Penske, 153pts