"After 25 races, it was about time!" - Jake Hughes overjoyed after first career podium in Formula E
In the second race at the Shanghai E-Prix, it finally rained points again for McLaren - for pole position and a podium. This success was clinched by Jake Hughes, who was really delighted with his first ever Formula E podium. His newly recovered team mate Sam Bird on the other side of the garage fluffed and retired. However, this did little to dampen the mood of the papaya-coloured team.
Hughes had never finished on the podium before the Shanghai E-Prix, but impressed time and again with his qualifying pace. This Sunday was no exception. The Briton with start number 5 worked his way up to the final of the duel phase against Stoffel Vandoorne. He beat him by just one thousandth of a second, securing his second pole position of the season and his fourth ever.
Hughes defends podium with everything he's got
He didn't get off to the best start in the race: Hughes was overtaken by Vandoorne before the snail curve. From then on, he stayed in the top three for the vast majority of the race and watched the action without challenging for the lead. This position was strategically clever for him and he was able to save the necessary energy to avoid losing any more ground. With Jaguar driver Nick Cassidy in the rear, the final phase was a challenge.
The trickiest moment between the two occurred on lap 19, when Cassidy dared to attack on the inside of Hughes into the hairpin. However, the Briton in McLaren service only gave the championship leader only the space he needed. Not really enough for Cassidy though, who lost the rear slightly and slid into Hughes. The collision was minimal, but Cassidy's front wing was damaged by Hughes' rear tyre.
Podium celebration better than upcoming birthday party
On the same lap, Hughes managed to overtake Norman Nato for second place. However, the Brit was then unable to find a way past Porsche driver Antonio Felix da Costa and remained in second place until the chequered flag. "I am over the moon! After 25 races, it was about time!" he said shortly after the end of the race.
The podium place not only meant a lot to Hughes, but is also a real relief for the whole team: "The team deserves it because the last three months have been difficult for all of us. There have been no points for a long time, and in such a busy calendar - I'm happy to have ensured some success today."
In fact, the Shanghai E-Prix was the last chance for the 29-year-old to score a podium before his 30s. A reason for him to celebrate properly: "My birthday will certainly be a good day, but tonight will definitely be even better."