Vandoorne was next to spy an opportunity, catching second-placed Sims out at Turn 6 with a rapid switch to the inside of the Mahindra on Lap 23.
A lap later at the same spot, Evans tried to make it back by de Vries for fourth after the Mercedes-EQ had jumped him at the hairpin last time around. Evans almost lost the Jaguar over a bump on the brakes but produced an amazing piece of car control to hold it together and keep it out of the wall, importantly also staying fifth.
Inside the last 10 minutes plus one lap and the field started to bunch back up again – the top 10 split by just six seconds.
On Lap 30, de Vries fell foul of the same bump as Evans had a couple of laps prior while trying to make it beyond Sims for third and slipped wide at Turn 6 to hand fourth back to the Jaguar driver. Unbelievably, on the very next lap, de Vries hit the same spot while defending from Bird, with the sister Jaguar able to profit and pinch fifth – an astonishing climb from fifth on the grid at lights out.
Heading into the final couple of minutes and da Costa still had control as he searched for a first win of Season 8. Vandoorne couldn’t make FANBOOST count but behind Evans was able to dispatch Sims with a smart move at Turn 6 – after which his team said energy would now need conserving. Two positions gained after that big save.
With two laps to go, di Grassi got turned around at Turn 7 causing a bit of a traffic jam – in that mix Vergne fell from the points to 19th position, which could prove costly in the championship battle. One point, minimum, slipping through his fingers from him.
From there, da Costa was able to bring it home for a first win for the Portuguese and DS TECHEETAH this season. Vandoorne followed for a strong haul and Jaguar’s third and fifth-placed finish, with Evans winding up third an Bird fifth had the British team’s mechanics in raptures.
Sims finished fourth at the checkered flag, with Frijns sixth, de Vries seventh, Dennis eighth, Lotterer ninth and Mortara picking up a point with 10th.