Buemi takes Marrakech ePrix

40

Sebastien Buemi overcame a grid penalty to preserve his 100 percent win rate this season in the second round of the Formula E series held in Marrakech, Morocco.

The championship's defending champion was demoted to seventh after qualifying following a five-place penalty for an underweight fire extinguisher onboard his e.dams Renault ZE16.

But that didn't stop the Swiss from swiftly moving up the ranks and beating Sam Bord and poleman Felix Rosenqvist. The Mahindra rookie carved out an early lead for himself but was later hindered by his excessive use of energy.

Bird and Buemi lengthened the time on the track before the mandatory car-swap, with the e.dams driver eventually leaping his Virgin Racing rival and setting off in pursuit of leading duo Rosenqvist and Jean-Eric Vergne.

In a handful of laps, Buemi caught up and then made it past the Swede, with Bird also following through.

Challenged for third by Nicolas Prost, Rosenqvist fended off the attack to earn his first podium in only his second Formula E race.

Prost and the Abt duo made up of Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt completed the top six finish.

Sebastien Buemi's championship tally now stands at 50 points, or a 22-point lead over second-placed man Lucas di Grassi.

Formula E's next round will take place in Buenos Aires on February 18, 2017.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.