New rivals: the street circuit specialists

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New rivals: the street circuit specialists

New rivals: the street circuit specialists

Flick back through the pages of human history and what becomes clear is that, ever since time began, mankind has turned to the street to settle its rivalries. Whether it's marathon running, motorsport or a simple disagreement, champions have been crowned and reputations destroyed in these familiar places.

Of course, here at the FIA Formula E Championship, we know a thing or two about street racing - it's what we do - and for the remainder of the season, all 20 drivers will continue to battle it out on the streets of 10 iconic cities, across four continents. While there will be many winners - 14 to be precise - there can only be one champion and after just two rounds on Hong Kong's Harborfront, at least two drivers have shown themselves to be specialists of the street circuit.

Despite only joining Mahindra Racing in Season Three, making his debut appearance in Formula E in Hong Kong last year, Felix Rosenqvist has been quick to make a name for himself in street racing circles. After a sensational performance in Berlin last season, where he secured Mahindra's first ever win, the Swede went on to finish in Montreal as not just the highest placed rookie but third in the overall standings.

Continuing his streak of success into Season Four, Rosenqvist went into Round Two in Hong Kong on pole after topping the time sheets in qualifying. Despite the head start, a spin in the opening minutes saw him lose the lead but - as we've come to expect - the battle was far from over for the Swede. "I then got into a good rhythm with the coasting, managing the traffic and the energy and everything came out perfect," he said calmly, just moments after the race. Despite the setback, Rosenqvist managed to climb back up the standings to finish second behind Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler's Daniel Abt before he was disqualified, promoting Rosenqvist to the top step. A stroke of luck or a well-deserved victory for the street fighting Swede?

 

But it wasn't just Rosenqvist that got fans and followers talking over the race weekend. Venturi Formula E's rookie driver Edoardo Mortara - fresh from the competitive world of the German DTM series - looked to have everything wrapped up in Round Two in Hong Kong. Starting the race in second after a solid performance in Qualifying and Super Pole, the Swiss driver was handed an early lead by Rosenqvist after his spin on Turn One. At the front of the pack, Mortara managed to defend his position through to the final few laps of the race when his ambition got the better of him. "I wanted too much," he said, commenting on a spin that saw him drop from first to third, just a few laps from the chequered flag. "I made a stupid mistake... I should have just gone for the win," he said regretfully. By the same stroke of luck that saw Rosenqvist jump to finish in first, Mortara was promoted to second, bringing two of Formula E's street racing protagonists side by side.

Despite the fortunate circumstances in Hong Kong, their success on the streets is far from beginners luck. With both drivers having achieved back-to-back wins in the Macau Grand Prix - arguably the toughest street race in the world - Rosenqvist and Mortara have an undeniable street racing pedigree, which will stand them in good stead for the season ahead. Nonetheless, it's unlikely to be a trouble-free ride with three former champions all looking to claim their second title and a host of new and familiar faces vying for wins.

While it's early in the season to be predicting podiums, if Rosenqvist can continue to perform like he did in Hong Kong and Berlin in Season Three, then the top step of the podium could well be within reach for the 26-year-old Mahindra driver. For Mortara, time will tell if he's able to maintain the pace and consistency he showed on the Harbourfront less than a week ago. With two of 14 rounds down, all eyes will be on the pair as they take to the streets of Marrakesh on January 13. As they line up alongside old rivals and seasoned champions, will these two relative newcomers be in the running for the title? Let the streets decide.