Beyond the tight standings in this final stretch of Formula E Season 9, in which Jake Dennis has a slight lead in the drivers’ standings, all the spotlight at the E-Prix of Rome was on the crash involving Mitch Evans.
The Jaguar TCS Racing driver crashed into title rival Nick Cassidy (Envision Racing) in Round 14 to drop out of the points, literally a blow to his hopes.
In the dramatic crash, in which Halo once again showed his strength and need, Evans went flying over the back of Cassidy’s car. The Envision Racing driver was able to escape and rejoin the pack, and fought his way back to 14th place. However, for Evans, despite his and the team’s best efforts, he was forced to retire.
Read also: Euphoria at Avalanche Andretti as Dennis Leads the Way
Narrative of the Incident
“It hurts, it sucks right now,” Evans said after the race. “It all happened so fast, I didn’t expect them to back up so much as I was closing in on Jake Dennis” (Avalanche Andretti).
“I tried to avoid him, but then I mounted Nick Cassidy‘s wheel and it went out of control. I felt really bad. It took me by surprise, I didn’t expect them to be so slow at the apex,” he added.
Evans ended his consecutive winning streak in Rome after winning on Saturday, taking Julius Baer Pole Position and the fastest lap. He remains third in the World Drivers’ Championship, but has 151 points compared to Dennis, who leads with 195 units.
“It was a really critical moment in the season, I had an attack mentality, I wanted to make progress and position myself in Turn 8 to catch Nick, but obviously it didn’t go to plan. I feel sorry for Nick and the guys at Envision Racing. Obviously, this has really hurt my championship now,” Evans explained.
Jake Dennis regained the lead on Sunday in a close race that will likely be decided at the final stop in London.
Dennis’ win was the first win from light to flag of the GEN3 era, and the first Grand Slam of Julius Baer Pole Position, TAG Heuer Fastest Lap and race win, plus every lap led.
The Briton is one of only three drivers to have sealed a Grand Slam and is the first to have achieved the feat twice in Formula E history.
