Paris, France (CNN) Formula E's wildly unpredictable fifth season continued at a rain-soaked Paris ePrix, as Robin Frijns became the eighth different driver to win one of the eight races this season.

Saturday's ePrix was victim to dramatic changes in weather, testing the drivers like never before in the sport's previous 52 races.

Rain lashed down and wind whipped through the circuit in the lead up to the race, leaving the shady sections of the track perilously slippery as the lights went green in Paris.

But just as the sun began to dry most of the track, the heavens opened once again, subjecting drivers to the first wet race in Formula E's four-and-a-half year history.

Pole-sitter Oliver Rowland -- who inherited his place at the front of the grid after Pascal Wehrlein was relegated for a tire pressure infringement -- crashed out on lap two, locking up into turn 10 and slamming head-first into the barricades.

It was a taste of what was to come in an action-packed race as several drivers struggled to keep their cars on track in testing conditions.

No less than five yellow flags were called throughout the race, forcing the drivers to slow down for the debris which littered the track following multiple collisions.

Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Formula E 2018/19 – The 2018/19 Formula E season proved to be a thriller, with the exciting new Gen2 cars boasting top speeds of 280km/h. Eight different drivers won the first eight races in a season that went down to the wire. Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne became the first double champion in the sport's history, defending the title he won last season thanks to three race victories. Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Robin Frijns won his second E-Prix of the season, storming to victory in the final race of 2018/19 in New York. Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Former world champion Sebastian Buemi claimed his first victory of 2018/19 at the first of a double-header in New York. Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Jean-Eric Vergne strengthened his grip on the title with his third victory of the season in Bern, extending his lead to 38 points at the top of the championship. Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Berlin, race 10 – An ecstatic Lucas Di Grassi celebrated in style after dominating the Berlin E-Prix to close the gap at the top of the drivers' championship. Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Formula E finally got its first repeat winner of the season in race nine, as Jean-Eric Vergne led from pole to finish to secure his second victory of the season. Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Dutch driver Robin Frijns claimed victory in Paris on the day his country celebrated its national King's Day. The Envision Virgin Racing man was the eighth different driver to win the eight races so far this season. Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Mitch Evans victory at the Rome ePrix was Jaguar's first in motorsport since 1991. The Kiwi is the only driver to score points in the seven races so far this season. Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Sanya, race six – Jean-Eric Vergne put an end to a miserable run of form that saw him go pointless for three straight races by taking victory in Sanya, the first time the championship had visited the south China city Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Hong Kong, race five – Edoardo Mortara backed up his third place in Mexico by claiming top spot in Hong Kong, Venturi's first ever victory in Formula E. Sam Bird had initially crossed the line in first place but after a four-hour investigation, was demoted for smashing into the back of race leader Andre Lotterer. Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Mexico City, race four – Former world champion Lucas Di Grassi celebrates his victory at the Mexico ePrix, arguably the most thrilling race in the sport's five seasons. Race leader Pascal Wehrlein's battery died just meters from the line, allowing Di Grassi to swoop past on the inside and snatch victory. Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Santiago, race three – On a sweltering afternoon in Santiago, Chile -- the hottest ePrix in history -- Sam Bird stormed to victory at the Parque O'Higgins Circuit. After finishing third overall last season, the Briton will have hopes of coming out on top this time around. Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Marrakesh, race two – Jerome d'Ambrosio followed up his podium finish in Saudi Arabia with victory in Marrakesh -- his third in Formula E -- to take an early lead at the top of the championship. Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: The 2018/19 Formula E season Ad Diriyah, race one – The season got off to a thrilling start in Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, as Portuguese driver Antonio Felix da Costa edged out Jean-Eric Vergne and Jerome d'Ambrosio to claim the second Formula E win of his career. Hide Caption 15 of 15

Five drivers had to retire with BMWi Andretti's Alexander Sims suffering the most dramatic crash, spinning right across the track and ploughing into the barriers.

The field was forced to complete most of the final lap under yet another yellow flag, allowing a delighted Frijns to take his place in the history books by becoming Formula E's first Dutch ePrix winner.

He waved his country's flag from the cockpit, given to him by a Dutch steward -- a fitting outcome on the same day Holland celebrates its national King's Day.

This race is crazy! @AlexanderSims suffers heartbreak again after a race-ending incident involving a number of cars #ABBFormulaE #ParisEPrix pic.twitter.com/2e323jYoge — ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) April 27, 2019

"Just crazy," was fourth-placed Lucas di Grassi's assessment of the race.

Iconic venue

The miserable conditions did nothing to dampen the mood of the thousands watching in Paris' city center, quite the opposite. Audible gasps rose from the stands following crash after crash and fans winced every time drivers got a bit too close for comfort.

This course is one of the most spectacular on the calendar, weaving its way past the gold dome of the iconic Invalides and the Eiffel Tower visible above the trees.

Home favorite Jean-Eric Vergne, reigning Formula E champion and winner in Paris last time out, impressively fought his way back from 12th on the starting grid to finish sixth.

Photos: Techeetah partner DS, which is sponsoring the Formula E team this season, has released its "dream" car the X E-TENSE. Hide Caption 1 of 6 Photos: Slated for a 2035 release, the all electric supercar has been designed with two different engines, one for race tracks and one for road use. Hide Caption 2 of 6 Photos: It boasts a driverless mode which will allow the passenger to kick back inside the comfy 'cocoon.' Hide Caption 3 of 6 Photos: Tesla expect its electric supercar, the Roadster, to be ready as early as next year and claim in will be able to complete 620 miles per charge, while boasting a top speed of 250mph. Hide Caption 4 of 6 Photos: The Rimac C_TWO slightly edges the Roadster for speed, boasting a top speed of 258mph, but will do 403 miles in one charge. Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: Though not a supercar, Aston Martin's Lagonda expects to revolutionize road travel with its vast, luxurious interior. The manufacturer estimates production on its new range of luxury, low-emission vehicles will begin in 2021. Hide Caption 6 of 6

In the lead up to the race, the Techeetah driver spoke of how he and all his fellow Parisians were affected by the events of two weeks ago when the city's iconic Notre Dame cathedral was ravaged by a fire.

He had hoped the solidarity shown by his countrymen would motivate him to a positive result, and it certainly did that after a difficult start.

"Obviously that (fire) touched all of us French people, but as well people from all around the world," he told CNN.

"Everybody came together for this very sad event which was incredible to see and it just goes to show that seeing this French monument go up in smoke was something that really hurt a lot of people, not only Christians.

"It's a figure of Paris, for the French people as well, for Catholics but the good thing is it didn't collapse and there are a lot of French billionaires and a lot of people putting lots of money in to help restore it and that's the positive."

Vergne was moved by the people who had pledged to rebuild the cathedral and not only the wealthy donors.

"All French people have helped give, even my parents and my sister," he said. "Everybody gave maybe €10, €20. People that don't have a big salary all gave a little bit, which is great to see. We are 60 million people in France, so it's very positive."

JUST WATCHED Formula E: Iconic cities like Paris 'cherry on the cake' Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Formula E: Iconic cities like Paris 'cherry on the cake' 01:51

'Shocked the country'

Sat on the grass opposite the paddock, hundreds began to gather hours before the race had started -- and long before there was any indication of the downpour to come.

Pierre Pichaud, a fan of motorsport for 25 years and follower of Formula E since its inception, traveled from Orleans to Paris just for the race.

"The Notre Dame event is not only linked to Paris, but to the whole country," he said. "It's a way not to forget, but to think about something else for a few days.

"It happened in Paris of course but it shocked the whole country. For Paris it's a way to think about something else, of course."

Robin Frijns celebates victory with the Dutch flag.

Xavier Denous had traveled even further, coming from the east of the country to watch his first ever ePrix.

"These kind of events are great to bring people together and meet people which is a great experience," he said. "It's completely different from our daily lives."

CNN Supercharged presenter Nicki Shields added: "Having any kind of event isn't going to take away from the awful events of Notre Dame, but at the same time it has been amazing to come to Paris and see so many of the Parisians getting together and showing solidarity and enjoying their weekend, getting together, celebrating Paris and how great it is as a city."