Oliver Rowland retires after Berlin error in Formula E title shock

Pascal Wehrlein took a huge chunk out of Oliver Rowland's lead in the Formula E drivers' title after a chaotic conclusion to the opening race of the Berlin E-Prix. 

Rowland span and struck a Maserati at Turn 6, causing damage which resulted in a shock retirement. The Nissan driver was furious, whilst Wehrlein capitalised and finished second. 

It has reduced Rowland's advantage from 69 points to 50, with three rounds remaining – the second Berlin race takes place on Sunday. 

Jaguar's Mitch Evans secured a superb victory from pole position, in what was his first points since winning the São Paulo season-opener.

How the race unfolded

In damp conditions but with no rain falling at the Tempelhof Airport circuit, Mitch Evans made an excellent launch from pole position; however, the race was immediately neutralised. 

Andretti's Jake Dennis failed to launch from the line, resulting in a safety car and a retirement for the Briton. The race restarted on lap three. 

In what was a Pit Boost race, several drivers opted for an early attack mode, including, Evans. The Jaguar driver had built a staggering five-second lead by the end of lap 11. 

The Porsches got themselves into second and third, Pascal Wehrlein ahead of Antonio Felix da Costa, whilst Oliver Rowland was down in sixth.

Wehrlein overtook his team-mate on lap 12, and quickly set about hunting Evans down, taking two seconds out of his advantage in two laps, before it stabilised at 3.5s. 

Lap 15, and Maximilian Günther was the first to box for Pit Boost from fifth, before others quickly followed across the following 10 laps.

Once the leaders had all boxed for Pit Boost, Evans remained in the lead, ahead of Wehrlein, Jean-Eric Vergne, Günther and Robn Frijns who joined Evans on the front row. As for Rowland, he was down in ninth.

However, on lap 29, Cupra Kiro's David Beckmann struck the wall after being hit by Nissan's Sergio Sette Camara, triggering a safety car. Following another three laps behind the safety car, Evans restarted the race on lap 33.

Sadly for Vergne, he entered the pits to retire as the race got back underway; however, all eyes were on Rowland, who span at Turn 6 and retired from the race after being hit by debutant Felipe Drugovich. 

It ensured the title goes to at least Sunday in Berlin. At the front, and Evans continued to dominate proceedings, to win with ease ahead of Wehrlein. Da Costa crossed the line in third but dropped to 10th, following a five-second time penalty for hitting Stoffel Vandoorne. 

It promoted Edoardo Mortara onto the podium, ahead of Taylor Barnard and Nick Cassidy. To add to Rowland's woes, Wehrlein secured the fastest lap, reducing his title lead to 50 points with three laps remaining.