Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport driver Lucas di Grassi says second place at the 2016/2017 Formula E season opener in Hong Kong “feels like a win”.
Last season’s runner-up started down in 19th place on the grid after a crash in qualifying, but bounced back to finish on the podium.
This was despite damaging his front wing and having to pit to change it early on, after contact on the opening lap.
The team opted to stop him slightly earlier than the pit window while the safety car was out to clear Jose Maria Lopez’s crashed DS Virgin Racing machine.
He moved from the back of the field up to the front of the pack, eventually rising to second place, which is where he finished.
“This second place feels like a win, I’m overjoyed,” he said. “The race showed once again that it’s really only over when you take the chequered flag in Formula E.
“Thanks to my team that was brave and showed that we never give up. This is an important message to the competition for the new season.”
