Formula E: Rowland takes dominant victory in second Jeddah race

F1 Grand Prix, GP Las Vegas, Las Vegas Street Circuit

Having finished second yesterday, Nissan driver Oliver Rowland delivered a sensational performance to secure a commanding victory in the second round of the Jeddah E-Prix, leading home a chain of four British drivers in Jeddah. F1Technical.net's Balazs Szabo delivers his race report.

McLaren driver Taylor Barnard put in a series of sensational laps to secure his first Formula E pole position, beating Nissan rival Oliver Rowland. The young Briton covered off Rowlands at the start to maintain the lead.

However, there was drama at Turn 4 as yesterday's winner Maximilian Guenther was too ambitious coming into the long-radius medium-speed corner, and slid into the back of Antonio Felix da Costa's Porsche. Both driver were forced to pit at the end of the lap to retire from the action.

Although Maserati driver Jake Hughes looked keen to take Barnard’s lead, the young McLaren man managed to hold on to his position.

Lola-Yamaha driver Lucas di Grassi was the first to take Attack Mode, and he managed to work his way up to the sharp end of the field thanks to the additional energy. The former Formula E champion was eager to challenge for the lead, but Barnard managed to fend off the Brazilian's attacks.

As soon as Grassi ran out of the extra boost, he started to drop down the order. In the meantime, Oliver Rowland, who lost victory on Saturday in the second-to-last corner, passed Barnard to take over the lead.

Enjoying the benefits of the powerful attack mode, Robin Frijns climbed up the order, and on Lap 11 he was challenging for the lead. The Dutchman made an ambitious overtaking mode into the first corner to fly into the lead.

On Lap 14, Rowland elected to take his first attack mode, going for a two-minute power boost. The Nissan racer quickly realized the advantage the additional energy level provided as he took over the lead from Frijns.

Barnard was now in fifth place, yet to take an Attack, but did so on Lap 15 along with Vergne. Using the additional energy, the McLaren driver dispatched Frijns and closed down the Nissan, taking the lead into the first corner on Lap 17.

However, Barnard was quickly picked off by Rowland, who was seemingly eager to regain the lead in the second Jeddah E-Prix.

Former Formula E champion Jake Dennis started from P19 on the grid, but he constantly worked his way up the order. Using his second attack mode, the British driver found himself in the lead on Lap 25.

However, as Rowland activated his second attack mode, this time a six-minute power boost, he found it relatively easy to take back the lead from the Andretti driver.

Having lost the lead, Dennis was attacked by Jean Eric Vergne. As the two former FE champions battled it out hard on the Jeddah Corniche circuit, Barnard took both of the to grab second.

As the race started to reach its final leg, Rowland started to escape from his rivals, enjoying almost a two-second lead on Lap 29.

Maserati driver Jakes Hughes appeared to have superior pace in the dying stages of the race, and he was adamant to overtake Barnard. Although the Maserati driver attempted a series of overtaking moves, the McLaren racer fended off every attack.

While his rivals battled it out hard, Rowland took victory comfortably. Barnard took second, Hughes third and Dennis fourth after a phenomenal final lap from the Andretti, with Cassidy snatching fifth. Vandoorne finished sixth in a superb drive from last place.