Putraya ePrix: Lucas di Grassi wins in Malaysia; Mahindra earn double points finish

Mahindra Racing recorded a double points finish through Bruno Senna and Nick Heidfeld in Putraya ePrix.

Putrajaya: Lucas di Grassi of ABT Schaeffler claimed his second FIA Formula E Championship win while Mahindra Racing recorded a double points finish through Bruno Senna and Nick Heidfeld in an action packed race here on Saturday.

Sam Bird of Virgin and Robin Frijns of Andretti crossed the chequered flag in second and third place.

Senna came fifth and Heidfeld ninth, fetching Mahindra 12 points. The Indian squad is third in the standings with 27 points from two rounds.

Even before the race had started Stephane Sarrazin was in trouble as his Venturi cut out on the dummy grid. With the Frenchman unable to take up his place on the front row alongside pole winner Sebastien Buemi, the start had to be delayed as he was pushed to the back of the field.

With no one directly alongside him, Buemi had a clear run into the first corner, and as was the case in the season-opener in Beijing, the Renault e.Dams driver pulled away into a comfortable lead.

But this would be no back-to-back win for the Swiss, as his car ground to a halt as the race neared its mid-way point.

With Buemi's car stopped on track, the team opted to pit his team-mate Nicolas Prost as this point, as he had also been suffering with his car cutting out. The early pitstop ensured the Frenchman took over the lead after the mid-race car swaps took place, but as he had to make his energy last for longer than his rivals, combined with his car troubles he was unable to prevent the trailing pack from passing him.

Di Grassi took over in second following the pitstop phase, but only because Dragon Racing's Loic Duval suffered an over-long stop. The Frenchman had briefly held the lead following Buemi's troubles, but was now behind not only di Grassi but the impressive Team Aguri car of Antonio Felix da Costa too.

As Prost struggled with his car cutting out, di Grassi made his move for the lead. Behind them Da Costa and Duval entertainingly disputed third. Eventually both found a way by the Renault e.Dams and Duval started to close in on the leader. But when a damper broke in the suspension of his car, his great run was ended and di Grassi was left unpressured at the front and duly collected the win.

After one of the most eventful races in Formula E?s short history, the teams and drivers now have a well-earned break before the series resumes in the amazing beachside setting of Punta del Este on December 19.