How the first ever Formula E race in Beijing was more talked about for an infamous collision – watch yourself to believe it

Time of India

29-05-2025

Image credit: Formula E
The Beijing E-Prix, held in 2014, was the first-ever Formula E race. It didn't just grab attention for being a high-speed electric car event styled like Formula 1 — it became widely talked about due to a mind-numbing collision between Venturi's Nick Heidfeld and e.dams Renault's Nicolas Prost.
Both drivers were chasing the historic opportunity to become the first winner in a fully-electric single-seater race but ended up smashing into each other. Here's everything about what led to that infamous crash — and what saved Heidfeld as his car somersaulted before crashing head-first into the ground. Also, see what the driver had to say after the incident.
Watch the infamous collision of the first ever Formula E race in Beijing
The crash happened at the final corner on the last lap. As Nick Heidfeld made a move to take the lead, Nicholas Prost steered across the track to defend.
When their cars made contact, Heidfeld's front-right suspension broke, sending his car out of control. He wasn't able to slow down and hit a kerb, went airborne, and slammed into the barrier. Miraculously, Heidfeld walked away unharmed and immediately went over to Prost to talk about the incident.
P
rost was given a 10-place grid penalty for the following race, while Lucas Di Grassi went on to win the Beijing E-Prix.
A day before the Shanghai E-Prix, Formula E shared the video of the infamous crash on Instagram, captioned: 'Drama from the very start! Our first-ever race in 2014 ended with a huge incident in Beijing!'
Formula E fans were shocked watching the replay. 'What on earth was that move!!!!' asked one fan. Another commented, 'Did he get charged with attempted murder? Awful move.' One more added, 'It was Epic start of the sport.
I was shocked watching this live. And it was before the Halo.' Several also pointed out the lack of a halo — a safety device introduced years later: 'Wtf, they should have halos on those things that coulda been deadly,' read one comment.
What Nick Heidfeld said after the crash
Nick Heidfeld, however, chose to focus on the positives, though he admitted he was lucky to be unharmed. Speaking to Formula E's YouTube channel after the crash, he said: 'I think more about the chance I had here last year, how good the car worked, and that I could have won, rather than about the crash.
Of course you see it all the time everywhere and people speak about it and for me it was quite easy to cope with because I was simply lucky that nothing happened.
'
He added: 'It's maybe not the perfect reason to have people tuning in but it was still fantastic to get a lot of attention for the championship and I think after that a lot of people kept watching it because it's not only the crash but as the following races did show they were all exciting races you never know who's gonna win and it was good in the end for the championship.'
Also Read:
Countdown to Shanghai E-Prix begins as special trophies and soundtrack unveiled for Formula E double header
What saved Nick Heidfeld
The roll hoop in Heidfeld's Venturi car protected his head when the vehicle landed upside down. This component had been tested to withstand a nine-tonne vertical force before the electric cars hit the track. Later, the halo was mandated by the FIA to further improve driver safety.
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