Felix Rosenqvist has given Mahindra Racing its first Formula E win in Race 1 of the Berlin ePrix double-header.

Lucas di Grassi took pole position and the ABT Schaeffler driver led the field away, while Rosenqvist came from third on the grid to pass a slow-starting Jose Maria Lopez (DS Virgin Racing) and move into second.

Di Grassi eased away to an advantage of over 2s but fell back into the clutches of Rosenqvist when the Brazilian’s car started to struggle for battery temperature, and thus braking and regeneration.

The issue allowed Rosenqvist to pass di Grassi on the outside of Turn 1 shortly before the mandatory car swap.

While di Grassi briefly looked a threat to reclaim the lead after the pit stops, Rosenqvist gradually gapped him to win by 2.2s in the 44-lap encounter.

Late in the race, Nick Heidfeld looked like he might give Mahindra a one-two, but never got quite close enough to seriously challenge di Grassi and instead finished third for the second consecutive race.

Jose Maria Lopez finished fourth, ahead of Nico Prost, Daniel Abt, and Sam Bird.

Jean-Eric Vergne had originally crossed the line in fifth position but was issued a five-second time penalty for an unsafe release during his car change which dropped the Frenchman to eighth.

Maro Engel and Oliver Turvey rounded out the top 10.

Sebastien Buemi’s championship lead has been slashed after the Renault e.dams driver was disqualified due to failing to meet minimum tyres pressures.

Buemi struggled in qualifying but drove from 14th to sixth during the race, which became fifth due to Vergne’s penalty, only for the result to be taken away.

The Swiss driver’s lead over di Grassi is now 22 points.

New Zealander Mitch Evans salvaged a point for the fastest lap after car problems in his first stint saw him fail to be classified as a finisher.

The second race of the Berlin ePrix will be held late tonight (AEST).

Results: FIA Formula E Championship, Berlin Race 1

Championship Standings