KTR presents ABB FIA Formula E Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix champion trophy to Jean Eric Vegne of France

HYDERABAD: The much-awaited FIA’s Formula E ended in Hyderabad on Saturday amid lusty cheers of people. It was indeed a visual treat.

Though Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy skipped in the last minute and the Union Minister for Sports Anurag Thakur was present on the dais, the ABB Formula E, the organisers, conferred the honour of presenting the winner’s prize to French racer Jean Eric Vegne to Telangana Minister K T Rama Rao.

Anurag Thakur presented a prize to three podium spot finisher.

Nick Cassidy of USA finished first runner up, Sebastien Olivier Buemi, a Swiss racer, finished third.

The FIA Formula E is a prestigious event conducted on a 2.835-km street circuit around the new Secretariat, specially developed by the Telangana Government for the purpose of the race.

The race had 33 laps. In the 29th lap, Cassidy tried to overtake Vegne, but couldn’t. It was indeed a breathtaking race with electric racing cars of multiple males, including the prestigious Jaguar, Maserati, Mahindra, Nissan and other brands hurtling past the landmarks in the city. Though people are not too familiar with the race and it’s rules, enthusiasts from all over India descended on Hyderabad.

Cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Shikar Dhavan, Deepak Chahar, Yuzi Chahal, Bollywood actress Gul Panag, Tollywood stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Ram Charan, Akhil Akkineni and many others thronged the venue to watch the race.

People had to painstakingly park their vehicles at far off places and walk up to the grand stands.

Sachin Tendulkar, while returning, was mobbed by fans as he had to trek a kilometre to find and get into his car.

In keeping with the local customs, the ABB FIA, Telangana Government and Greenko decided not to allow opening of champagne on the dais. As the bubbly was kept away, the celebration was marked by small fire works on the dais.

The race started little delayed from the scheduled 3.03 pm to end at 4.30 pm.