In a shocker for Audi Sport and driver Daniel Abt, the driver has been disqualified from Race 2 of the Hong Kong ePrix, promoting Felix Rosenqvist to the to top spot. Abt was stripped of his maiden Formula E win, also a first for the now factory-backed team, after Edoardo Mortara spun in the closing stages of the race while in the lead. Abt was quick and cautious as he inherited the first place and went on to win the second race of the weekend. The decision has also led to Jaguar's Mitch Evans being promoted to P3, securing the first ever podium for the young team.
Also Read: Daniel Abt Wins Formula E Hong Kong ePrix Race 2
undefined.@FRosenqvist has secured his first win in Season 4. Maximum points for the #passioneer as he clinched pole position earlier and got the fastest lap point too. #HKEPrix pic.twitter.com/N7w7qu7Mz3
— MahindraRacing (@MahindraRacing) December 3, 2017
The disqualification was made after a post-race inspection of the Audi Formula E car revealed that the FIA security stickers on the inverters and motors did not correspond with those declared on the car's technical passport. This breaches the technical and sporting regulations of the series, and led to Abt disqualification from the race. Formula E though has given Audi time until the end of 6.55 pm (Local time) to enter an appeal against the decision.
If that's not all, Audi has been fined an additional 5000 Euros for a separate infringement. This wad due to the five Audi team members walking on to the track to get to the podium before the final car entered the parc femme. Stewards said that the move was a "serious breach of safety regulations"
(Felix Rosenqvist also set the fastest lap in Hong Kong ePrix Race 2)
Audi has also been fined 5000 Euros for a separate infringement: five Audi team members walked onto the track to get to the podium before the final car had entered parc ferme, which the stewards deemed a "serious breach of safety regulations". Incidentally, this is Abt's third such disqualification in Formula E over the past three seasons. Previously, Lucas di Grassi was disqualified in the first ever season of Formula E and later in Mexico during the second season.
The unprecedented decision has now moved Rosenqvist to the top spot, securing his careers' second win in Formula E. The Mahindra Racing driver started the race on pole but spun at on the Turn 1 chicane after his rear wheels locked and catapulted down to the 11th spot. Nevertheless, the Swede made up for lost time with some aggressive driving and moved up to third behind Mortara and Abt.
