South Korea race report R15
13 August 2022: The NIO 333 Formula E Team did not reap the rewards it deserved after a productive morning and solid performances in both Free Practice sessions and Qualifying at the Olympic Sports Complex in Seoul.
The weather was always going to play a big part in the inaugural Seoul E-Prix, with rain forecast for both race days after a dramatic start to the week with severe flooding affecting several parts of the South Korean capital.
Oliver Turvey set out on a dry track this morning in the Group A qualifying session and set a lap time that would see the #3 NIO 333 FE 001 car sit in P18 on the starting grid for this afternoon’s race.
Rain had started to fall when Dan Ticktum took the #33 NIO 333 FE 001 challenger out in Group B a few minutes later. Despite worsening track conditions as the session progressed, Dan was able to secure thirteenth place for the start of the penultimate race of the season.
The team’s efforts were sadly in vain when an eight-car incident at Turns 20/21 on the first lap of the Round 15 contest meant early retirement for both NIO 333 drivers. The rain, which had persisted since this morning, had claimed its first victims during what would ultimately be an eventful maiden Seoul E-Prix – with only half of the 22-car field making it all the way to the chequered flag.
The 2022 Formula E season concludes tomorrow at the Olympic Sports Complex with Round 16 starting at 09:30 (GMT +9) with Free Practice 3.
Oliver Turvey, #3 NIO 333 FE 001
Free Practice 1: P14
Free Practice 2: P7
Qualifying Group A – Race Grid Position: P18
Round 15 Race Result: DNF
“After showing some decent pace with P7 in Free Practice 2, it was a frustrating qualifying with the rain starting in our session. The race started wet and a number of cars went off at T20/21 on the first lap. I managed to avoid all other cars but got hit hard at the rear by Askew which damaged the rear right corner and put us out of the race. It was extremely frustrating as with the mixed conditions I felt we had a good opportunity to have a strong race. We’ll try again tomorrow to finish the season on a high.”
Dan Ticktum, #33 NIO 333 FE 001
Free Practice 1: P20
Free Practice 2: P15
Qualifying Group B – Race Grid Position: P13
Round 15 Race Result: DNF
“To get hit and sent out of the race is extremely frustrating, especially after we had better qualifying pace today. A lot of drivers locked up; there’s a lot of white paint [at turn 20] which is very slippery, and it looked like a clumsy accident from a lot of drivers, but early on there was no grip there and nothing else we could have done.”
Russell O’Hagan, COO/ Deputy Team Principal
“It’s been a very mixed day. We showed some good pace in practice this morning which left the team feeling positive heading towards qualifying. We got a little unlucky with Oliver, but Dan did well in tricky conditions to qualify 13th. To lose both cars so early in the race, and in the same incident, was incredibly disappointing. There was nothing either of them could have done though so we just have to move on. We learnt a lot today, even from analysing the rest of the race, so we will push hard to put that in to practice tomorrow and end the season on a high.”
