Sims scores the first points of his Formula E career

After victory in
the season-opener, BMW i Andretti Motorsport continued to put on a strong
performance in the second race of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship – but
without the reward of a similar result this time. At the Marrakesh E-Prix,
Alexander Sims finished fourth to score the first points of his Formula E
career, just missing out on the podium in a thrilling finale. António Félix da
Costa retired after sliding into the tyre wall after contact with Sims. Sims
lost two places but was able to continue racing.

The two BMW i
Andretti Motorsport drivers began the race from fourth and sixth places and
both enjoyed superb starts, quickly moving up to second and third positions. As
the race continued, Félix da Costa took the lead, followed by Sims in second.
The outstanding pace of the two BMW iFE.18s allowed the duo to pull away from
the rest of the field as they headed for the podium. However, both drivers
missed their braking points as Sims attempted to overtake just a few laps
before the end. Félix da Costa slid from the inside line into the tyre wall and
had to retire, while Sims was able to take evasive action before rejoining the
race in fourth place. The BMW i8 Coupé Safety Car then brought the field back
together. Sims continued to battle for a podium position when the race got
underway again, with one lap remaining, but was unable to find his way past the
competition. Victory went to Jérôme D’Ambrosio (Mahindra Racing).

Jens Marquardt
(BMW Motorsport Director):

“During the closing phase of the race, both
BMW iFE.18s were in a promising position. Regrettably, we didn’t manage to
capitalise on our good performance. There was contact between our drivers just
before the finish and António Félix da Costa then had to retire. Alexander Sims
was able to finish the race in fourth place. We have analysed the incident with
both drivers and we will learn from this as the season continues. We are all in
agreement that an incident like this will not occur again.”

Roger Griffiths
(Team Principal BMW i Andretti Motorsport):

“Unfortunately, that was a disappointing end
to a very promising day. Our cars put on a strong performance at the head of
the field and were very competitive. Our racing pace was extremely good and a
one-two result would have been possible. Regrettably, things didn’t turn out
that way. Of course, we are disappointed. We have discussed it as a team and we
are now looking ahead. We won together in Ad Diriyah. We didn’t manage to
repeat that here in Marrakesh and we lost together as a team. We will learn
from that.”

Alexander Sims
(#27 BMW iFE.18, qualifying result: 5th place, race result: 4th place, FANBOOST
voting: 17th place, points: 12):

“Of course, it is a great shame for the whole
team. The race should not have finished like that. All of us – me, António and
the team – will learn our lessons from what happened. We are all well aware
that such incidents are unacceptable. It cost us a one-two result today.”

António Félix da
Costa (#28 BMW iFE.18, qualifying result: 3rd place, race result: DNF, FANBOOST
voting: 2nd place, points: 28):

“I would like to apologise to the whole team.
Alex did a great job today. I held my ground when he drew level with me and my
front wheels locked up. That was my mistake and it had negative consequences for
me and for Alex. I should have let him go past and been content with second
place.”