Shanghai E-Prix Round 13: Lucas Di Grassi wins as all three backbenchers on the grid take top three spots

There couldn’t have been more surprises in Shanghai on Sunday. Lola Yamaha ABT driver Lucas Di Grassi won the Shanghai E-Prix Round 13, a few months after announcing his retirement from racing at the end of this season.

While his win may come as a pleasant surprise, it was enough to show who the original champion is, as he came all the way from the last row on the grid to claim victory at the Shanghai International Circuit. The race was even more surprising as Citroen Racing’s Jean-Eric Vergne finished second after starting from 18th place, and Envision Racing’s Joel Eriksson finished third after starting from 17th spot on the grid.

Jean-Eric Vergne and Joel Eriksson join Lucas Di Grassi on the podium at Shanghai E-Prix Round 13

Lucas Di Grassi’s win at the Shanghai E-Prix Round 13 on Sunday came as a pleasant surprise for the Formula E veteran’s fans as he did the unthinkable after starting from the back of the grid.

The fact that all three drivers from the back of the grid claimed the top three spots turned out to be a unique historic event as dark clouds loomed over the Shanghai International Circuit.Envision Racing got what they desired on their home ground as Joel Eriksson claimed his maiden podium by finishing third in wonderful fashion. His team-mate Sebastien Buemi also gathered valuable points by finishing in fifth position after starting from 16th place on the grid.

Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein was among the few drivers who somehow managed to maintain their grid position during the race. The German finished fourth and went on to beat Mitch Evans in the title race. Meanwhile, Evans had a bad day as he retired from the race very early due to technical issues with his car.

Polesitter Felipe Drugovich finishes sixth in Shanghai Round 13

Polesitter Felipe Drugovich of Andretti went on to finish sixth, followed by Porsche’s Nico Muller in seventh and Nissan’s Oliver Rowland in eighth.

DS Penske driver Taylor Barnard finished ninth after starting from the front row. Cupra Kiro driver Dan Ticktum joined him in 10th place.

Podium finishers from Round 12 the day before, Jake Dennis of Andretti and Antonio Felix Da Costa of Jaguar TCS Racing, took 13th and 14th positions in Round 13.After such an exciting race, the drivers will return to racing in Japan's Tokyo after a three-week break. Formula E Season 12 is nearing its grand finale, with just two double-headers remaining: the Japan E-Prix from July 24–26 and the London E-Prix from August 14–16. The final Round 17 race will take place in London on August 16.Also read: Shanghai E-Prix Round 13: Felipe Drugovich claims maiden pole in rainy qualifying, Pascal Wehrlein takes third on the grid