Jake Dennis conquers all in Rome to take Formula E championship lead

ROME: Jake Dennis of Avalanche Andretti Formula E team created history in the second race of the Hankook Rome E-Prix, as he reclaimed the lead in the fight for the world title with just two races remaining.

The Briton conquered every opponent in Rome to claim the first “grand slam” of the GEN3 era — Julius Bar Pole Position, TAG Heuer Fastest Lap, leader in every lap, and the race win.

In another dramatic race on the streets of the Eternal City and following the biggest crash ever in a Formula E contest yesterday, Dennis was again able to keep himself out of a disaster that struck his closest title rivals Nick Cassidy (Envision Racing) and Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) close behind him on just the second lap of the race.

As Cassidy prepared to take on Dennis for the lead into the braking zone at the infamous Turn 7, Evans lost the rear of his Jaguar in the compression, clipped the leader’s Andretti and launched spectacularly over the top of Cassidy’s Envision Racing Jaguar I-TYPE 6.

The airborne incident again demonstrated the resilience of the GEN3 race car in its first season of competition, just a day after the multi-car shunt — and highlights the intense, high-risk nature of the series as drivers battle on city streets between walls without track limits.

It was another huge moment in the battle for the drivers’ title and Dennis took full advantage. Evans’ damage proved terminal after he limped back to the pits, while Cassidy could only recover to finish in 14th and outside of crucial points. The Kiwi had started the race leading the title fight by five points over Dennis.

From there, Dennis looked assured and was able to dominate the race to finish three seconds ahead of Norman Nato (Nissan Formula E Team)