Stoffel Vandoorne, Mercedes-Benz EQ, 1st position, celebrates
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How Vandoorne recaptured Mercedes' winning feeling in Monaco

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The Mercedes Formula 1 team is struggling, but its Formula E arm is in fine form at the moment and once again leads the drivers' standings courtesy of Stoffel Vandoorne. Here's how the Belgian took a well-judged Monaco victory to emerge at the head of the brewing four-way championship tussle

It’s fitting that Monaco, a principality famed for its casinos, continues to host a championship that can be likened to a roulette table. Of course, Formula E’s new qualifying format has produced a little more method to its madness, but there’s still a tremendous slice of luck involved in deciding its victors.

But it seems the roulette table was never Stoffel Vandoorne’s calling. Instead, the Mercedes driver worked his way through the Monaco E-Prix weekend with the calculated cunning of a poker player. He knew his hand was good. He knew not the hands of the other players at the table, but it became apparent over the course of the race that his was simply more valuable. Those cards remained up the Belgian’s sleeve, to be turned over only when the time was right.

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