The street circuit on the banks of the Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad recently got its first taste of a global racing event. On February 11, the circuit hosted the fourth round of season nine of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (for electric cars). Jean-Éric Vergne from France, a two-time world champion driving for American team DS Penke, held his nerve to win the 33-lap race.
One of German team Tag Heuer Porsche’s cars after a crash during the practice session
Though there were no Indian drivers in the race, India was represented by Mahindra Racing—the team, based in the UK, competes with an Indian racing licence. It had a disappointing qualifying session earlier in the day, but recovered well during the race with British driver Oliver Rowland finishing sixth after starting tenth on the grid and Brazilian Lucas Di Grassi finishing 14th from 19th. Rowland got eight points. This took Mahindra's total to 26—Di Grassi had earned 18 points with a third-placed finish in the first round in Mexico City on January 14. After the Hyderabad race, the team was in seventh place in the 11-team championship.
The top three, Jean-Éric Vergne, DS Penske, at first, Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing, at second, and António Félix da Costa, TAG Heuer Porsche
Another Indian presence was TCS, as Jaguar's title partner. But, both of Jaguar TCS Racing's drivers crashed out of the race. Despite the zero-point haul, the British team was fifth in the championship at the end of the race.
Guests enjoy the Formula E simulator game at a Mahindra event ahead of the race
The 2.835km circuit in Hyderabad not only skims the shores of the Hussain Sagar lake, but also passes by the stunning NTR Gardens. The event drew in a crowd of around 20,000 people. Several celebrities were present, including actors Ram Charan, Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and badminton legend Pullela Gopichand.
