Evans wins Berlin ePrix that nobody wanted to lead

As many as eight drivers led the first Berlin ePrix at some point this weekend. That was a record, as were the 23 lead changes. In the end, it was Mitch Evans who was first at the moment that really counted. The New Zealander from Jaguar took the win ahead of Sam Bird (also Jaguar) and Maximilian Günther.

Before the start, one after the other driver stated that having the lead position in the early stages of the race was actually undesirable. As a driver in first place, you use relatively more energy, while the others behind you can save thanks to the toe they have on the rather specific track in Berlin. The moment the lights went green, therefore, it looked like nobody wanted to take the lead.

Memo missed

Only Dan Ticktum had apparently missed his team's memo. The Briton was like a bullet from his starting spot, passing the three drivers in front of him (including polesitter Buemi) at the first corner. Apparently, NIO did not want Ticktum to play into the others' hands after all, so the Japanese decided to let their driver take the attack mode at the first possible moment. Due to the increased distance, Ticktum had to cover as a result, Bird (unintentionally) moved into first place. Bird too, therefore, decided to take the attack mode, putting Ticktum back in first place.

Over the team radio, Ticktum complained that he was using too much energy, basically indicating he was driving in front against his will. What followed was a rather embarrassing affair, involving the entire front of the field. Indeed, it looked like the ePrix was turning into a sprint stage in the Tour de France, with drivers alternating lap after lap at the front of the field. All to ride at the front as short as possible.

Broken wings

After 12 laps, the safety car came probably as called for. The race had to be neutralised after René Rast hit Sergio Sette Camara from behind. That resulted in some broken wings. After the restart, the big tombola continued, with a huge leading group of Mortara, Buemi, Vandoorne, Evans, Dennis, Bird and Ticktum constantly changing places. Sometimes this led to strange situations, such as when Mortara took attack mode. This put Jake Dennis in first place, although he tried to avoid it by going full on the brakes (!).

Even after a second safety car period - necessary after Ticktum eliminated Vandoorne, Hughes and Nato - the shuffle at the front continued unabated. Only 15 laps before the end, both Jaguars of Mitch Evans and Sam Bird had had enough of all the hassle and convincingly advanced to the first two spots. This proved to be the starting signal for a change in thinking: over the course of the race, the drivers who grabbed the lead actually tried to hold it.

A frustrated Jake Dennis - who could not get past the slower Maseratis - caused some excitement in the closing stages. The Briton entered a corner far too opportunistically, tapping Antonio Felix da Costa and himself out of the race. In a crazy few extra laps due to the safety car, Evans worked his way to victory, followed by teammate Bird. On the line, Maximilian Günther outsmarted Buemi for third place.