Vandoorne takes first win of 2022 season with Monaco E-Prix victory
Stoffel Vandoorne has taken his first win of the 2022 FIA Formula E season with victory in the Monaco E-Prix.
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Vandoorne started in fourth and held his position through the opening stages before a mid-race safety car turned the tables on race strategy.
Vandoorne took the lead from Pascal Wehrlein when the TAG Heuer Porsche driver retired from the lead with a mechanical issue.
Stoffel Vandoorne celebrates in Monaco. (Formula E)
As a three-car trio squabbled for the remaining podium positions, Vandoorne sped away to comfortably take the chequered flag.
“It feels great!” said Vandoorne.
“This is obviously a very special race for all of us that are competing here.”
“No matter what car you come here in, there’s always one you want to tick off.”
While Vandoorne put his Mercedes-EQ on top, polesitter and early leader Mitch Evans was stuck in front of a charging pack and still due to take his final attack zone activation.
Dropping to the rear of the podium battle-pack, Evans was eventually able to fight back against Jean-Éric Vergne to take second, but unable to mount a challenge on Vandoorne for the lead.
Stoffel Vandoorne, Mitch Evans and Jean-Eric Vergne celebrate on the podium in Monaco. (Formula E)
Behind them, Jake Dennis charged through the field from fifteenth to tenth on the opening lap, ultimately putting his Avalanche Andretti in ninth by the chequered flag.
Nick Cassidy made even greater gains, up to seventh at the finish after starting down in eighteenth.
Vandoorne now holds the lead of the championship standings on 81 points, ahead of Vergne on 75, Evans on 72 and Robin Frijns on 71 points.
The FIA Formula E World Championship returns in two weeks time for the Berlin E-Prix.
