Shanghai E-Prix: Evans wins after surviving post-race investigation

Jaguar's Evans and Porsche rival Pascal Wehrlein largely dominated the majority of the 29-lap race at the Shanghai International Circuit, each leading for large portions around the truncated grand prix layout.

Having taken the lead just past the halfway point, Wehrlein noticeably upped the pace and defended the position at various points around the lap, especially into the Turn 6 hairpin.

But locking up into Turn 6 on lap 23 allowed Evans to get a switchback on the exit which gave him the lead.

Just two laps later, Wehrlein was back to the front but only after cutting the Turn 11 left-hander through the final sequence of corners after running side-by-side with Evans.

Behind, the second Jaguar of Nick Cassidy had steadily climbed up the order having dropped back from his starting position of 10th to save energy, and noticeably had 1-2% more than those in front of him.

Having moved into third with four laps remaining, Cassidy shadowed his team-mate Evans, who began to heavily pressure Wehrlein into Turn 6 and through the following sweeping left and right bends.

Despite having more energy, Cassidy was told by his team to maintain position and defend Evans from the chasing pack, which included the second Porsche of Antonio Felix da Costa and Andretti’s Jake Dennis.

Heading onto the last lap, Evans swept to the outside through the long left of Turn 1 to take the lead from Wehrlein and the win on the road.

But the Kiwi was placed under investigation for the incident with Wehrlein when the latter cut the second last corner, with both drivers called to the stewards post-race.

Over two hours later, it was officially confirmed that no further action would be taken, meaning Evans keeps his second win of the year after his victory in Monaco. 

Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing, 1st position, celebrates in Parc Ferme (Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images)

While Evans was left to take the win, Cassidy launched a final assault on Wehrlein through the final right-left-right sequence of corners.

Cassidy moved to the inside of the left, where Wehrlein closed the door and the pair made contact that left Cassidy with a damaged front wing.

As Wehrlein took second, championship leader Cassidy was only just able to hold the final podium spot from a charging Oliver Rowland.

The Nissan driver had surged up the order in the final laps, demoting da Costa and Dennis, the reigning champion the last of the leading runners to take his final Attack Mode late on.

Polesitter Jean-Eric Vergne claimed seventh, but like da Costa in fifth, remains under investigation for “pushing a driver off track”.

Mahindra’s Nyck de Vries claimed his first points of the season in eighth as the ex-Formula 1 driver led briefly at one stage.

Envision’s Sebastien Buemi and DS Penske’s Stoffel Vandoorne completed the top 10 in a race that featured only one retirement and no safety cars.

Shanghai E-Prix Race Results

Main Information Additional Data Additional Data Driver Info

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Main Information Additional Data 1  -  2
Cla	Driver	#		Laps	Time	Interval	km/h	Points	Retirement
1	M. Evans Jaguar Racing	9		29	38'03.434			25
2	P. Wehrlein Porsche Team	94		29	+0.796 38'04.230	0.796		18
3	N. Cassidy Jaguar Racing	37		29	+1.498 38'04.932	0.702		15
4	O. Rowland Nissan e.Dams	22		29	+1.743 38'05.177	0.245		12
5	A. Felix da Costa Porsche Team	13		29	+2.165 38'05.599	0.422		10
6	J. Dennis Andretti Formula E	1		29	+2.361 38'05.795	0.196		9
7	J. Vergne DS Penske	25		29	+2.599 38'06.033	0.238		9
8	N. de Vries Mahindra Racing	21		29	+2.818 38'06.252	0.219		4
9	M. Gunther Maserati Racing	7		29	+3.165 38'06.599	0.347		2
10	S. Buemi Envision Racing	16		29	+3.610 38'07.044	0.445		1
11	S. Vandoorne DS Penske	2		29	+4.095 38'07.529	0.485
12	L. di Grassi Team Abt	11		29	+4.397 38'07.831	0.302
13	S. Fenestraz Nissan e.Dams	23		29	+4.791 38'08.225	0.394
14	R. Frijns Envision Racing	4		29	+5.083 38'08.517	0.292
15	S. Sette Camara ERT Formula E Team	3		29	+5.425 38'08.859	0.342
16	N. Nato Andretti Formula E	17		29	+5.793 38'09.227	0.368
17	N. Müller Team Abt	51		29	+6.178 38'09.612	0.385
18	J. Hughes McLaren	5		29	+6.566 38'10.000	0.388
19	S. Bird McLaren	8		29	+6.944 38'10.378	0.378
20	J. Daruvala Maserati Racing	18		29	+7.372 38'10.806	0.428
21	D. Ticktum ERT Formula E Team	33		29	+7.688 38'11.122	0.316
dnf	E. Mortara Mahindra Racing	48		16	+13 Laps 21'33.689	13 Laps			Retirement
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