Alexander Sims finished fourth in the Formula E race in Marrakesh, Morocco, on January 12, salvaging points for the BMW i Andretti team. It should have been a one-two finish for the BMW iFE.18s; António Félix da Costa, with Sims close behind him, held a commanding lead with just a few laps remaining in the race. But then the two racers came together as Sims made a move to pass Félix da Costa. Sims was able to continue, but Félix da Costa, who came into Marrakesh leading drivers’ points, locked up his brakes and went into the wall, ending his race and bringing out the safety car.
Just after the incident Mahindra’s Jerome d’Ambrosio went by the two BMWs along with Virgin Racing’s Robin Frijns and Sam Bird. Sims rejoined just behind them. The pack followed the safety car until the green flag was thrown for a one-lap shootout. Despite challenges by Frijns for the lead and by Sims for third, the order among the leaders did not change on the final lap; d’Ambrosio held on for the win.
After the race Félix da Costa accepted responsibility for the incident, saying he should have let his teammate pass. But both drivers missed their braking points, and Sims said, “Of course, it is a great shame for the whole team. The race should not have finished like that. All of us—me, António and the team—will learn our lessons from what happened. We are all well aware that such incidents are unacceptable. It cost us a one-two result today.”
Formula E competition resumes in Santiago, Chile, on January 26.—Brian Morgan
[Photos courtesy BMW Group.]