Motor Racing-Bird Wins Formula E opener with Porsche and Mercedes on podium

Britain's Sam Bird won the openingrace of the Formula E season in Saudi Arabia for Envision Virgin Racingon Friday, with series debutants Porsche and Mercedes makingimmediate appearances on the podium.

The 32-year-old fought through from fifth at the start tocontinue his record of winning in every season of the all-electric championshipdating back to the first in 2014/15.

The win was also Bird's ninth in Formula E, the third most ofany driver.

Germany's Andre Lotterer finished second for the Porsche teamwith Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne taking third place for Mercedes — with Audiclaiming bragging rights also as powertrain provider to Bird's team.

The Diriyah circuit on the outskirts of Riyadh hosts a secondrace on Saturday.

DS Techeetah's French driver Jean Eric Vergne,winner of the last two championships, retired in the pits midway through therace.