WATCH: Hair-Raising Moment Featuring Mercedes F1 Test Driver Vandoorne in Formula

The 2021-22 edition of Formula-E is almost underway, with the sport flagging off the pre-season proceedings on November 29, and there is a hint of drama that could possibly unfold well before the season begins. Of course, it was a rather peaceful start to the 4-day testing event, with hardly any incidents over the first day.

However, something interesting happened on day 2 featuring one of the Mercedes EQ drivers. Stoffel Vandoorne, who is also the Mercedes F1 team’s reserve driver, almost caused what could have been a nasty multi-car accident on the main straight of Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, thanks to Mitch Evans’ repeat of the 2021 Berlin E-Prix.

What did the Mercedes F1 test driver do?

Following the day’s run, the cars rolled down onto the main straight for a race start simulation. All cars lined up on the grid in a random position, with Vandoorne taking up the P4 spot right behind Evans. The lights went out as it does on a normal race day.

However, what followed was any driver’s worst nightmare; anti-stall, or at least we think it was anti-stall.

Evans found himself absolutely glued to the spot while the rest of the drivers were already onto the throttle. We reckon the entire Mercedes garage had their hearts in their mouths, as Vandoorne almost slammed into the rear of the Jaguar.

Thankfully, the drivers managed to notice the stalled Jaguar and kept themselves away from Evans. Some of the drivers evaded the car barely by an inch, but, well, the end result is all that matters. Vandoorne is safe and so is Evans and pretty much all of the drivers that started on the dirty part of the track!

Eventually, Mercedes took to social media to reveal a clipping of Evans’ ‘start’. They further captioned, “Well…That was pretty close!”

Flashback of Berlin E-Prix?

Kiwi racing driver, Mitch Evans, was then on the verge of clinching the 2021 Formula-E title, as he had qualified in a strong P3 while his rival, Nyck de Vries, qualified way off the top 10. However, then arrived a shocking turnaround at lights out.

Evans’ Jaguar stalled on the grid while the rest of the grid went racing. The commentators knew a crash was imminent, considering the main straight isn’t necessarily a straight, rather a right-handed bend. Hence, visibility was going to be limited for most of the drivers.

Rightfully so, Edoardo Mortara came red-hot and shunted his car onto the back of the Jaguar, taking them both out of the race. Yes, it was indeed the moment when the title hopes slipped out of Evans’ hands. But, ultimately, that hardly mattered, as the safety of the driver came up as the top-most priority, and well, he was safe.

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