Opinion: Formula E's double-header was packed with thrills and spills

We take a look back the season-opening events of the electric racing series

Season eight of Formula E began with a double-header in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, recently.

Defending champion Nyck de Vries crashed early in the first practice session but bounced back to win the opening night race, thanks to a clanger dropped by his Mercedes-EQ team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne. 

The ex-McLaren Formula 1 racer failed to trigger his second dose of Attack Mode power, costing him the lead.

De Vries looked on course to complete a Diriyah double in race two, having led the early stages from pole position, but Lucas di Grassi, in his first weekend racing for the independent Venturi team, outmuscled him for the lead, and the Dutchman thereafter slumped to 10th. 

Edoardo Mortara, second in the standings last term, got the better of his Venturi teammate to claim victory and head the drivers’ championship by four points from de Vries. 

The electric single-seater series travels to Mexico City this weekend for round three.

*Motorsport greats: Hurley Haywood*

The Daytona 24 Hours celebrated its 60th anniversary this year by inviting back some of its greatest stars from its past. One was Hurley Haywood, who shares the record for most wins with Scott Pruett. 

Now 73, he was an endurance specialist who excelled at the majors, winning three times at Le Mans, including on his debut; twice at Sebring; and five times at Daytona over the course of a remarkable 40 starts. The Vietnam veteran formed a bond with Porsche racer Peter Gregg in the 1970s, winning Daytona for the first time in 1973 and remaining a force through the GTP golden days right up to the modern DPi era.

When it comes to sports car purists, few get close to Haywood.

*Images: Rolex/LAT Images*