Formula E: 5 things we learned upon return in Saudi Arabia

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – NOVEMBER 23: Sebastien Buemi of Switzerland driving the (23) Nissan IM02 and Team Nissan e.dams (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /

The all-electric racing series Formula E returned with a bang this weekend at Diriyah in Saudi Arabia with two races on consecutive days.

As Formula E so often does, the two races delivered excitement, drama and contentious decisions, with Alexander Sims ending the weekend as the somewhat unexpected championship leader.

Sims was flawless in qualifying in his BMW i Andretti car, taking pole on both days and delivering a lights to flag win on Saturday to take victory.

He came a cropper to some of Formula E’s old guard on Friday, but given the fact that this is just his second season in the sport and the fact he nearly lost his seat over the summer, this was an ideal start for the Englishman.

Elsewhere, Sam Bird did what Sam Bird does and won a race for the sixth season in a row, Mercedes were quick on their first ever Formula E weekend and Maximilian Gunther lost a podium on his debut weekend for BMW after a review by the stewards.

Sadly, it is now a long wait until the next race in Santiago on Saturday, January 18, 2020, but with two action-packed races in the books, there should be enough to keep the interest of fans piqued.

Below, I assess the five key talking points to come out of the first race weekend of the season and look ahead to the rest of the campaign.

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