Now that Jean-Eric Vergne has got the monkey off his back and claimed an overdue maiden win, the honour of having the most Formula E podiums without winning a race has switched to Nick Heidfeld.
This means the amiable German now has the unique distinction of having the ‘podiums without wins’ record in both Formula 1 and Formula E! However, given the progress the Mahindra team made these season, there would appear to be a very strong chance of that dubious honour ending before too long.
There were chances this year, not least in Berlin where the M3Electro was the fastest car around the Tempelhof track. Had Heidfeld’s car not developed a bizarre electrical glitch in qualifying that meant it slowed when he pressed the accelerator and sped up when he lifted off, he would have been right in the mix for the win later that day.
Heidfeld’s strongest season in Formula E to date started with a fine third place in the season-opener in Hong Kong, the first five podiums he scored during the campaign.
He struggled in qualifying in Marrakesh and spent the race in the cut and thrust of the midfield fight, which restricted him to ninth. Buenos Aires was the team’s least competitive showing of the season, but Heidfeld was back at the sharp end in Mexico, and was on course for fourth before being tapped into a spin late on by Nico Prost.
A hat-trick of third places followed in Monaco, Paris and Berlin, with Rosenqvist taking Mahindra’s maiden win at the latter in the team’s best showing in the series so far. Heidfeld ran as high as second in New York, and was on for a top sixth finish when a loose wheel forced him out.
In typical fashion he responded with yet another third place in second race, playing the team game to keep Rosenqvist’s slim title hopes alive and only just keeping the charging Pierre Gasly at bay as they crossed the line side by side with the Frenchman up against the wall.
A clash with Loic Duval ended his hopes in the opening race in Montreal, but the season ended with a solid fifth-place in the finale. It ensured that Heidfeld scored more points in Season 3 than in Season 1 and 2 combined and helped Mahindra to third in the teams’ standings, its best-ever finish.