Sebastien Buemi claims season-opening Formule E race in Beijing

Swiss ace Sebastien Buemi won the opening round of the second season of motor racing’s Formule E Championship in commanding style in Beijing yesterday.

After taking pole position in the new super pole shoot-out, the Renault e.dams driver went on to dominate the SWUSP Beijing ePrix, setting the fastest lap in the process to complete a hat-trick.

“It’s a bit of a weird feeling because I felt I was a little bit on my own, but I would not be against that. It’s good to win with a bit of a margin,” he said.

“I’m happy, the team has done a great job and Renault has done a good power train so I’m just looking forward to the next races. We even managed the fastest lap, which was very difficult last year.

Buemi fended off the fast-starting Mahindra of Nick Heidfeld into the first corner to hold the lead and went on the dominate the race over 26 laps of the street circuit created in the vicinity of the Bird’s Nest Stadium. He finished in 50:08.83, ahead of Brazilian Luca di Grassi (ABT Schaeffler Sport) in 50:19.84 and German Heidfeld  in 50:24.51.

Heidfeld said: “I couldn’t be more happy for the whole team, we worked hard over the summer and it was a very tight race.”