
The Mahindra driver has won twice before, but both victories came courtesy of post-race exclusions of other drivers. This time he was set for a third place finish before BMW i drivers Da Costa and Simms touched while Sims was going for the lead, and Da Costa finished in the barriers. This action, which ended BMW drivers’ domination of the race, also brought out safety cars for 3 laps, and drivers were left with a single lap sprint to the finish when it released them.
D'Ambrosio managed to fend off Envision Virgin drivers Frijns and Bird, while Sims salvaged fourth place in front of last season's champion Jean Eric Vergne. Frenchman started from second place behind pole-sitter Bird, but missed his braking point in first corner and spun, relegating him to back of the field. Vergne then produced a flawless remainder of the race, climbing back into Top 5, while Envison drivers were no matches for BMW pair, which started 3rd and 5th but quickly managed to climb to the top of the field before colliding.
Results:
1 Jerome d'Ambrosio Mahindra 31 laps
2 Robin Frijns Virgin +0.143s
3 Sam Bird Virgin +0.461s
4 Alexander Sims BMW +0.740s
5 Jean-Eric Vergne DS +1.232s
6 Andre Lotterer DS +1.457s
7 Lucas di Grassi Audi +1.633s
8 Sebastien Buemi e.dams Nissan +2.455s
9 Mitch Evans Jaguar +2.980s
10 Daniel Abt Audi +4.014s
Championship standings
1. D’Ambrosio 40
2. Da Costa 28
2. Vergne 28
4. Lotterer 19
5. Bird 18
5. Frijns 18