The Italian-Swiss driver Edoardo Mortara has raised his electric car “made in Monaco” to the 3rd place of the ePrix of Mexico, confirming the rise of his team during this season 5 which will stop in the Principality on May 11.
The iconic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez of Mexico was full on Saturday: about 40,000 enthusiasts have enjoyed a race full of twists. In the morning, the free practice sessions of the two Venturi team riders announce the colour, each finishing one of the sessions in second place.
While the temperature on the track reaches 40° C, the Brazilian Felipe Massa proves once again his value under pressure, qualifying in the third position for the race, followed by Edoardo Mortara, ninth on the grid.
Sixth and seventh at the start of the race, Massa and Mortara avoid the pitfalls. Due to a miscalculation of remaining energy management, however, Massa is forced to cope with significantly reduced power in the last third of the event. Three laps from the end, Mortara overtakes his teammate.
For Italo-Switzerland, the final round is providential: its conservation of energy and patience pay off while many of its competitors are deprived of juice, which allows him to go back to third place behind the Brazilian Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport Abt), winner, and the Portuguese Antonio Felix da Costa (BMW i Andretti), 2nd.
Massa finished in 8th place, registering his first official points in Formula E, a result overall very positive for the Monegasque team.
“Fourth last month in Santiago de Chile, and now third in Mexico, I am so happy with both results,” jubilant Mortara.
“To be classified, you have to do the perfect race, the car, the team and the driver must all give their best. The beginning was pure madness; everyone was fighting, it was crazy. I decided to stay behind, to focus on my driving and finally, it smiles. The team worked so hard … I’m very proud of them, and I’m really happy to share this result with We still have a lot to learn, but I think we have proven that our car is improving from race to race and I hope it continues like this.”