Munich. After victory in the season-opener, BMW i Andretti
Motorsport continued to put on a strong performance in the second
race of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship – but without the reward
of a similar result this time. At the Marrakesh E-Prix, Alexander
Sims (GBR) finished fourth to score the first points of his Formula
E career, just missing out on the podium in a thrilling finale.
António Félix da Costa (POR) retired after sliding into the tyre
wall after contact with Sims. Sims lost two places but was able to
continue racing.
The two BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers began the race from fourth
and sixth places and both enjoyed superb starts, quickly moving up to
second and third positions. As the race continued, Félix da Costa took
the lead, followed by Sims in second. The outstanding pace of the two
BMW iFE.18s allowed the duo to pull away from the rest of the field as
they headed for the podium. However, both drivers missed their braking
points as Sims attempted to overtake just a few laps before the end.
Félix da Costa slid from the inside line into the tyre wall and had to
retire, while Sims was able to take evasive action before rejoining
the race in fourth place. The BMW i8 Coupé Safety Car then brought the
field back together. Sims continued to battle for a podium position
when the race got underway again, with one lap remaining, but was
unable to find his way past the competition. Victory went to Jérôme
D’Ambrosio (BEL, Mahindra Racing).
Reactions to the Marrakesh E-Prix:
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“During the closing phase of the race, both BMW iFE.18s were in a
promising position. Regrettably, we didn’t manage to capitalise on our
good performance. There was contact between our drivers just before
the finish and António Félix da Costa then had to retire. Alexander
Sims was able to finish the race in fourth place. We have analysed the
incident with both drivers and we will learn from this as the season
continues. We are all in agreement that an incident like this will not
occur again.”
Roger Griffiths (Team Principal BMW i Andretti Motorsport):
“Unfortunately, that was a disappointing end to a very promising day.
Our cars put on a strong performance at the head of the field and were
very competitive. Our racing pace was extremely good and a one-two
result would have been possible. Regrettably, things didn’t turn out
that way. Of course, we are disappointed. We have discussed it as a
team and we are now looking ahead. We won together in Ad Diriyah. We
didn’t manage to repeat that here in Marrakesh and we lost together as
a team. We will learn from that.”
Alexander Sims (#27 BMW iFE.18, qualifying result:
5th place, race result: 4th place, FANBOOST
voting: 17th place, points: 12):
“Of course, it is a great shame for the whole team. The race should
not have finished like that. All of us – me, António and the team –
will learn our lessons from what happened. We are all well aware that
such incidents are unacceptable. It cost us a one-two result today.”
António Félix da Costa (#28 BMW iFE.18, qualifying result:
3rd place, race result: DNF, FANBOOST voting:
2nd place, points: 28):
“I would like to apologise to the whole team. Alex did a great job
today. I held my ground when he drew level with me and my front wheels
locked up. That was my mistake and it had negative consequences for me
and for Alex. I should have let him go past and been content with
second place.”
The BMW i Fleet
BMW i is “Official Vehicle Partner” of the ABB FIA Formula E
Championship in Season 5. Spearheading the BMW i fleet is the BMW i8
Coupé Safety Car, modified with BMW M components (combined fuel
consumption: 1.8 l/100 km; combined energy consumption 14.0 kWh/100
km; combined CO2 emissions: 42 g/km)*. As well as the BMW
i8 Coupé, the BMW i fleet also includes the BMW i3s (combined fuel
consumption: 0.0 l/100 km; combined energy consumption: 14.3 kWh;
combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)* as “Race Director Car” and
the BMW 530e iPerformance (combined fuel consumption: 2.2-2.1 l/100
km; combined energy consumption: 13.6-13.3 kWh/100 km; combined
CO2 emissions: 49-47 g/km)* in its role as “Medical Car”.