Mitch Evans has secured his first Formula E Race at Home point while Oliver Rowland snared an inaugural victory after early front runners Daniel Abt and Stoffel Vandoorne came to blows around the virtual Berlin Tempelhof Airport.
Despite being compelled to qualifying in the opening group, Vandoorne pipped Abt to pole by a mere 0.2s and converted his track position by holding onto the lead along the stretch towards turn one.
But the Mercedes pilot was too late under braking and ran wide, allowing Abt to sneak around the Belgian and steal the lead.
There was further trouble for Vandoorne a handful of corners later when the Nissan of Rowland capitalised on another unforced error to move himself into second.
But Vandoorne put his poor start to bed and on his second tour regained the position from Rowland and set about after Abt.
The duel amongst the front runners heightened when they found themselves wheel-to-wheel entering turn six on their sixth lap.
But an overly eager lunge from Vandoorne, coupled by the stern defence of race leader Abt saw the pair collide and a fortunate Rowland leapt to the front of the field.
Rowland remained unchallenged for the rest of the race thereafter, withstanding Vandoorne and Abt to secure a maiden triumph.
Erstwhile points leader Pascal Wehrelin came home in fourth after surviving an earlier scare with Maximillian Gunther.
Venturi drive Edoardo Mortara rounded off the top-five while Evans picks up his best result with tenth.
Brendon Hartley’s virtual woes continue as the kiwi was the second driver eliminated in the battle royale race format, ultimately finishing the race prematurely down in 23rd.
