Last-lap drama as Rowland runs out of energy handing Wehrlein victory

Pascal Wehrlein secured victory in the second race of the Misano E-Prix double-header, after Oliver Rowland ran out of energy on the final lap whilst comfortably leading.

Rowland led almost the entirety of the second half of the race but seemingly pushed too hard, as it appeared he ran out of energy on the final lap. Wehrlein was there to pick up the pieces and claim his second win of Season 10, with Jake Dennis and Nick Cassidy completing the podium.

Nico Müller finished fourth but was ridiculously close to a podium, with Sacha Fenestraz completing the top five. The top 10 was completed by Sergio Sette Camara, Jean-Eric Vergne, Jake Hughes, Maximilian Günther and Jehan Daruvala.

Calm before the storm

The immediate difference between Saturday’s race and Sunday’s, is that the latter was two laps shorter. It meant that energy management was less severe and that the pace was able to increase sooner. Despite this, a chaotic start to the race was a guarantee.

From pole position, Hughes made a good start as all 22 drivers got away cleanly. The peloton did once again take immediate effect but unlike yesterday, there were no collisions.

Instead of giving up the lead from the get-go, Hughes led the opening few laps, before slotting in behind a few of those behind him.

Everything remained surprisingly calm until a sudden safety car – the first of the weekend – was required on Lap 7, after Robin Frijns was the unfortunate filling of a sandwich.

Frijns was in between Sam Bird and Antonio Felix da Costa, with three having simply not gone into Turn 7. The incident broke Frijns’ steering a front-wing, leaving him helpless in the gravel.

It was a rapid safety car as the race restarted at the start of lap nine. As the race restarted, Nico Müller led from Cassidy.

Rowland and Wehrlein duel

Lap 11 and yesterday’s original winner Antonio Felix da Costa was forced to pit for repairs, as he drove into the back of Sam Bird, breaking his front-wing.

At the front and Rowland decided to hit the front on Lap 13, with Wehrlein and Dennis having attempted to go with him in second and third.

Mid-race and the pace was only a few seconds down on what was being set in qualifying, as Mitch Evans encountered problems and stopped on circuit. He safely continued.

On the 19th lap, Wehrlein made a great move on Rowland at Turn 4 for the race lead, with Da Costa having pitted and retired. Earlier on, Sebastian Buemi also retired, marking a miserable double DNF for Envision.

Rowland fought back and reclaimed the race lead on Lap 21; however, the entire pack had caught back up. With five laps remaining, Rowland led from Wehrlein, Dennis, Müller and Günther.

Yesterday’s eventual winner decided to pull the pin, and tried breaking away from the field with four laps remaining.

Rowland drama as Wehrlein victorious

Three laps remaining and Rowland could not escape Wehrlein, who had three-percent more energy. The British driver continued to push whilst behind, Dennis in third was clearly holding up Müller and Cassidy.

As they started the final lap, Rowland led Wehrlein by over a second but suddenly pulled to the side of the circuit after appearing to run out of energy. It was a huge surprise but the Nissan driver had clearly been pushing too hard, handing Wehrlein the lead with half a lap to go.

The Porsche driver crossed the finish line as the victor for the second time this season – he won in Mexico City – whilst behind, Dennis finished second and Cassidy pipped Müller to third by 0.050 secs.