Günther claims back-to-back virtual Formula E victories

Maximilian Günther has claimed back-to-back victories in the second championship round of the Formula E Race at Home Challenge around a virtual Docklands circuit, once again capitalising on Stoffel Vandoorne crashing out of the lead.

Having edged Günther for pole, Vandoorne held onto his lead coming into the turn one chicane. But an unforced error saw the Belgian pilot crash into the wall on the exit, dropping to fourth and relinquishing the lead to the German.

On his Eseries debut, Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird was out the running by lap six. Then a handful of corners later, both Panasonic Jaguar Racing drivers James Calado and Mitch Evans collided with each other through turn one. The damage was enough to put an end to the Kiwi’s race.

Having fallen behind Andre Lotterer in the opening lap, Pascal Wehrlein worked his Mahindra back into second place and began chasing after Günther. The German proving to be exceptionally quick, erasing the race leader’s four second advantage to essentially nil by the tenth lap.

But an unfortunate mistake at turn one from Wehrlein saw him clip the wall and damage his car, ruling the lead Mahindra out of the race.

The incident allowed Robin Frijns through into second, trailing Günther by over seven seconds at the line. Dragon’s Nico Mueller rounded out the podium ahead of Neel Jani.

After his lap one crash, Vandoorne miraculously held onto a top-five finish.

As part of the second round of the virtual series, some of the world’s top sim-racers again competed in their own driver field – the “Challenge Grid”.

Victory on the 3.2-kilometer virtual circuit ultimately went to Bulgarian Peyo Peev.

Image: automobilsport.com