Britain's Sam Bird wins Formula E season opener in Hong Kong despite pit-stop problems

The new Formula E season started with a crash, a red flag and a safety car and the drivers get to do it all again on Sunday. 

The double header in Hong Kong may well be the turning point for Formula One’s eco-friendly sibling, with famous teams and experienced drivers taking to the tracks in vehicles that feel like the antithesis of their more prestigious relative. 

Sam Bird’s opening-race win suggests the Brits will be just as capable in what many feel will be an exciting season. 

The Virgin Racing driver started well and his overtake for the lead from Jean Eric Vergne was the highlight of the race, following the restart after new boy Andre Lotterer crashed at the chicane. Vergne took second place while Nick Heidfeld completed the podium. 

Bird admitted it was a stressful race, but the competitive nature of it was something he relished, with crashes and wheel-to-wheel action common in the series that sees cars flying around street tracks.

He said: “Welcome to Formula E. That's like a normal race for us. We've had some crazy races in the past, you only have to look at the first ever race in the series and the crash at the last corner. 

“We've had some incredible races in the first three seasons of this championship and that's just another one to add to the list. 

“I think people would be entertained (by the race) although it's a shame we had a red flag at the beginning that slowed the race down. But when it got thing, it got going. “

A poor pit-stop saw Bird having to change cars outside his garage and receive a drive-through penalty, but he still came out in the lead. 

Bird added he felt the drive-through "was a bit harsh", but as it didn't damage his race it's unlikely it will bother him too much. 

Lotterer, who raced for Porsche at Le Mans this summer, admitted his first race was an education in the series. 

Current champion Lucas Di Grassi wasn't able to trouble the front-runners as car issues left him finishing 18th.

Mitch Evans was disappointed to end the afternoon in 14th. Technical issues saw him struggling but the fact that teammate Nelson Piquet Jr came fourth suggests that the Panasonic Jaguar Racing team will have get better days. 

The battle continues on Sunday as everyone attempts to improve on Saturday's result. All except Bird, who will look to build on his strong start with two consecutive wins.