First FIA Formula E Champion: One for the record books – Nelson Piquet Jr.

“Don’t ask questions – just drive.” That’s what Team NEXTEV TCR told Nelson Piquet Jr simply before the final FIA Formula E race in Battersea Park, London. The Brazilian did as he was told, becoming the first champion in the annals of the entirely electric racing series. Seventh place in a thrilling title fight was enough for Piquet Jr to see off competition from championship rivals Lucas di Grassi and Sebastien Buemi.

This was a triumph for the history books. “As I crossed the line, I still didn’t know that I’d actually done it. Once it was all sorted out, the feeling was just incredibly beautiful. At the start of the season, I never expected to achieve even a podium,” said the happy champion.

After a rain-hit qualifying, the son of three-time Formula One World Champion Nelson Piquet had to line up 16th on the grid for the second race in Battersea Park, while his rival, Buemi, was in P6. In the end, the Swiss winner of the first London race, crossed the finish line in fifth place but had to admit defeat in the championship battle to Piquet Junior with a deficit of just one point. Di Grassi from Team ABT Sportsline secured third place overall.

“As I crossed the line, I still didn’t know that I’d actually done it."

Another high point of the weekend for fans in a sold-out Battersea Park was the race victory by local driver Sam Bird on Sunday. The British driver celebrated his success on the podium in the middle of eVillage in front of thousands of fans and was delighted to receive his trophy from music superstar, Fergie. Spectators witnessed a similar spectacle on the podium on Saturday with the first double-header in the history of Formula E. An exuberant Alain Prost danced for joy on the podium to celebrate winning the team championship with his outfit, e.dams. 

“Fantastic,” said the delighted four-time Formula One world champion on the podium, as he stood next to Hollywood icon Antonio Banderas. 

Anotherspecial experience for fans in eVillage was the DHL stand. The Official Logistics Partner of Formula E offered the chance to gain a behind-the-scenes insight into the world of FIA Formula E on a tablet, using an innovative ‘augmented reality’ app. You can download the app here. 

“DHL has done an amazing job throughout, and now we’ve arrived back safely where it all began.”

The app impressed both fans and racers. Daniel Abt and Lucas Di Grassi thought the app was great and subsequently sat patiently signing autographs on the DHL stand where another highlight of the weekend awaited fans with the DHL Power Bike Challenge. Fans had to pedal as hard as they could to generate as much energy as possible. The best contestants won ebikes. 

The circle was closed in Battersea Park at the weekend. The first official FIA Formula E tests were held at the headquarters on the circuit at Donington almost exactly one year ago. Twelve months later, the debut season of the series ended with a fantastic spectacle in the world metropolis of London, just a few hours away from Donington. 

“DHL has done an amazing job throughout, and now we’ve arrived back safely where it all began,” said FIA Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag. “Everything is planned down to the last minute in the world of FIA Formula E, from erecting the pits for the teams to the races themselves. Also, as far as the sustainability which characterizes our series goes, we have found the perfect logistics partner in DHL.” Now it’s time to pack everything away in order to prepare for the second FIA Formula E season.