Vergne claims second Formula E victory

The 2017/2018 ABB FIA Formula E Championship’s Latin American fixtures clearly suited Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) who followed up his success in Santiago, Chile, with another in Uruguay. The Frenchman was joined on the Punta del Este E-Prix podium by defending champion Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport) and Sam Bird (DS Virgin Racing).

After qualifying on pole following the disqualification of the four drivers who beat him in the Super Pole shootout, Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) led the Uruguayan round from lights-out to the chequered flag to collect his second victory of the season and pull out a 30-point cushion over Felix Rosenqvist in the Drivers’ standings at the championship’s midpoint.

After establishing the record for the Punte Del Este track (1m13.672s) in free practice, then topping the qualifying order, di Grassi was penalised for having cut the chicane during the Super Pole shootout. Alex Lynn (DS Virgin), Oliver Turvey (NIO) and Mitch Evans (Jaguar) were handed the same punishment for the same offence.

Di Grassi, who appears to have recovered from his catastrophic start to the 2017/2018 series, spent the entire race in Vergne’s slipstream but had to settle for second spot (+0.447s) despite piling on the pressure to the bitter end.

Bird (DS Virgin) produced a strong run after the mid-race car swaps to collect third, while Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing) took advantage of his Fanboost to finish just shy of the podium. Rosenqvist (Mahindra Racing) was fifth, ahead of Lynn and Turvey. José-Maria Lopez (8th, DS Virgin) clocked the fastest race lap (1m16.811s) at an average speed of 130.5kph.

Sébastien Buemi (Renault-e.dams), a two-time previous winner in Punta Del Este, parked up on Lap 29 after being forced to change his accident-damaged first car after 11 laps. Nick Heidfeld bowed out early on and Mexico City victor Daniel Abt (14th, Audi Sport) had to make an unscheduled stop to tighten his harness belt.

The next round of the 2017/2018 Formula E Championship will take teams to Rome, Italy, on April 14.