Mercedes’ Stoffel Vandoorne admitted there was “only myself to blame” after he lost the lead by missing an attack mode activation loop during the first Diriyah E-Prix.
Vandoorne had led from pole ahead of team mate Nyck de Vries until the Safety Car restart, when he attempted to take his second mandatory attack mode of the race. Despite leaving the racing line to drive through the activation zone, Vandoorne was not granted his attack mode power increase, meaning he had to attempt it again the following lap.
This allowed De Vries to inherit the lead of the race and take his own second attack mode immediately following Vandoorne’s attempt, allowing him to stay in front and ultimately win the opening race.
Vandoorne admitted it had been his error for why he failed to activate attack mode and that he realised he’d missed the activation point straight away.
“I realised it immediately, to be honest,” Vandoorne explained. “I missed the third attack mode loop on my second…