---
title: "Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird Conquers the Inaugural Formula E Rome E-Prix"
description: "The British driver endured tremendous pressure from Formula E's top talent during the closing stages of the race."
date: "2018-04-15"
modified: "2018-04-15"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20133/virgin-racings-sam-bird-conquers-the-inaugural-formula-e-rome-e-prix"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "Andre Lotterer"
  - "Audi Sport"
  - "FIA"
  - "Italy"
  - "Lucas Di Grassi"
  - "Nelson Piquet Jr"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
  - "rome"
---

# Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird Conquers the Inaugural Formula E Rome E-Prix

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/04/5-_w6i6335.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Sam Bird and the DS Virgin Racing Team made the best of their equipment, and others' bad luck, to emerge victorious at the first-ever FIA Formula E Rome E-Prix. [Audi Sport's](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18979/audis-daniel-abt-scores-maiden-formula-e-win-in-mexico-city>) Lucas di Grassi and Techeetah's Andre Lotterer followed in second and third place, respectively.

The British driver [showed his enthusiasm](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20003/fia-formula-e-young-fans-are-flocking-to-the-electric-racing-series>) after the race as he jumped to the top step of the podium to celebrate his well-deserved victory. Despite starting in second place, behind Felix Rosenquist's Mahindra, it wasn't an easy race for Bird who had to manage his power just right and avoid the chaos around him in order to make it to the end.

![message-editor%2F1523821958732-4-\_w6i6450.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1523821958732-4-_w6i6450.jpg>)
*Formula E*

![message-editor%2F1523821975484-3-\_w6i5789.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1523821975484-3-_w6i5789.jpg>)
*Formula E*

The beginning stages of the race were somewhat uneventful for most of the front-runners, as Rosenquist expanded his lead to 1.2 seconds from Bird in second and Panasonic Jaguar Racing's Mitch Evans in third. It wasn't until the pit stop sequences began around lap 16 that havoc spread throughout the street course, with a massive four-car pileup that saw Oliver Turvey, Nick Heidfeld, Luca Filippi and Edoardo Mortara get tangled up.

The always nerve-wracking [mid-race car swap](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19031/nissans-new-formula-e-racer-is-the-sexiest-nissan-ever-created>) caught two of the series' top names by surprise. The lucky driver of the day was di Grassi, who escaped without a penalty after being questioned by the race stewards on "assistance" he received from a crew member while buckling his seat belts. Meanwhile, it was reigning Formula E champion Nelson Piquet Jr. who made a break for the exit before realizing his seatbelts weren't fastened properly, sealing his fate with the stewards.

![message-editor%2F1523821992754-2-\_w6i5660.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1523821992754-2-_w6i5660.jpg>)
*Formula E*

![message-editor%2F1523821998221-1-\_w6i5641.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1523821998221-1-_w6i5641.jpg>)
*Formula E*

It wasn't until the closing stages of the race, when Rosenqvist crashed out after hitting a curb, that Bird inherited the lead and came under extreme pressure by Evans and Lotterer. The Brit remained [surprisingly cool](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/16659/f1-champ-nico-rosberg-considering-move-to-formula-e>) despite several passing attempts from his adversaries under heavy braking, making his victory on the streets of Rome even sweeter.

The sold-out event took place on the streets near some of the country's most famous ruins of the Roman empire. At 1.75 miles in length and with 21 corners of varying difficulties, the inaugural E-Prix isn't only one of the most challenging tracks for the drivers, but it's also the second-longest track on the Formula E calendar. The Rome E-Prix also marks the first of several European races that [Mercedes-Benz's new EQ brand will sponsor](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19779/mercedes-eq-becomes-major-sponsor-in-formula-e-ahead-of-its-official-entry>) this year.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)