A number of Formula E’s star drivers took a break from their all-electric racing programme to sample the thrills of Brazilian V8 stock car racing last weekend.
Held at the Goiania circuit, the one-hour enduro featured a host of stars names alongside the series’ regulars.
In qualifying, China Racing driver Nelson Piquet and co-driver Atila Abreu (once Sebastian Vettel’s team-mate in Formula BMW and Formula 3) took pole position. However, they were out of luck in the race and were classified 28th.
It was Amlin Aguri’s Antonio Felix da Costa who upheld Formula E honour, taking third place alongside his team-mate – former Team Lebanon A1GP racer – Allan Khodair.
Audi Sport Abt’s Lucas di Grassi finishing fifth alongside Thiago Camilo. Fresh from his Miami ePrix success Nico Prost took ninth together with Julio Campos.
Jaime Alguersuari linked up with ex-F1 racer Luciano Burti to finish 16th, while Formula E’s newest recruit – Tonio Liuzzi – was 23rd alongside Felipe Lapenna. Bruno Senna teamed up with another ex-Williams F1 racer – Antonio Pizzonia – to finish 25th.
Other big names to join the fray were Aussie V8 Supercar star Mark Winterbottom, who took second place with Marcos Gomes, and 1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who together with former BAR team-mate Ricardo Zonta came home 21st.
The race was won by ex-World Series by Nissan champion Ricardo Mauricio and Nestor Girolami.
In the USA, there was success for China Racing’s Antonio Garcia, who alongside Corvette team-mates Jan Magnussen and Ryan Briscoe won the GTLM class at the prestigious Sebring 12 Hours endurance race.
Amlin Aguri’s Katherine Legge was also in action at Sebring in the DeltaWing coupe, but retired early on.