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Closed Circuit: DS Virgin in London

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DS Virgin took their fourth podium of the season in London and were pushed up to third in the teams’ championship. Jean-Eric Vergne just missed out on a second podium of the weekend in race two, whilst team mate Sam Bird struggled in both races.

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Saturday saw a mixed race for the DS Virgin duo. Rain in qualifying mixed up the grid and Jean-Eric Vergne was the biggest winner because of it. The Frenchman crashed before his 200kW lap but, as the rain began to come down, nobody could go faster than his build up lap and he started fifth on the grid.

It was a busy race for both Bird and Vergne, with the championship contenders causing trouble for both drivers. Bird tried his best to defend against Lucas di Grassi early in the race and almost came together with the championship contender, but both Di Grassi and Buemi passed him.

Vergne was having a good battle of his own. After plenty of bumping and bashing, and leap fogging Robin Frijns in the pits, the Frenchman took third place, securing his second podium of the season.

Race two saw a tough end of the season for the team. After starting strong and gaining from Di Grassi and Buemi’s crash, the luck ran out.

Bird was running in fourth when, just after the safety car returned to the pits, his car ran out of power. A mechanical problem forced him to retire from the race.

Meanwhile, Vergne was back to battling his way up through the field from seventh, and crossed the line in third. In the dying seconds of the race, though, the Frenchman ran out of power, and was given a penalty. He received another penalty for an unsafe release and came eighth in the standings.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying” tab_id=”1461512175704-af49c202-f1e45043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sam%20Bird%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%229%3B%2014%3B%203%3B%201%3B%2011%3B%202%3B%201%3B%204%3B%207%3B%208%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%225%3B%2013%3B%2017%3B%2015%3B%206%3B%2011%3B%203%3B%201%3B%205%3B%207%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%5D” title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: race” tab_id=”1461512175763-831c2584-42cf5043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sam%20Bird%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%227%3B%202%3B%2017%3B%201%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%2011%3B%207%3B%2016%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2212%3B%2018%3B%207%3B%2011%3B%2016%3B%2013%3B%202%3B%205%3B%203%3B%208%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%5D” title=”Team mate comparison: race”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The team says: “…“” tab_id=”1461512258191-0360a250-a68c5043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_column_text]

Saturday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]DS Virgin Racing Team Principal Alex Tai: “I am extremely pleased for Jev as his season is getting much better but I am also bitterly disappointed for Sam, who is one of the most talented drivers I know. Thankfully we have tomorrow to make a difference and I know both drivers are determined to finish on a high.”[/pullquote]

Sunday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Tai: “Today didn’t go our way but over the course of the season, we’ve proved that we have two fantastically fast and talented drivers. I’d also like to thank my team of engineers and mechanics who have been exceptional and worked out how to make this car win. We know the car is fast, as our four pole positions this season proved, but we now need to turn it into a car that can achieve consistent race wins as well. We’re confident of doing that next year.”[/pullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461512214611-352b21f1-c5375043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22DS%20Virgin%20Racing%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%225%3B%2024%3B%2030%3B%2058%3B%2066%3B%2077%3B%20106%3B%20119%3B%20140%3B%20144%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Championship standings”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Sam Bird” color=”green”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion style=”outline” color=”green” c_icon=”chevron” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Bird’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512310664-cbeb96df-4af05043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_column_text]

Rain in qualifying put Bird on the back foot before the Saturday race even began. Though the Brit managed to qualify the top of his group, he couldn’t compete with those who qualified on a dry track, and he was forced to start seventh on the grid.

From there it was a difficult race for Bird, who had to defend hard against Lucas di Grassi early in the race. The two very almost came together early on as the Brazilian made a move up the inside and past Bird. Buemi followed soon after.

Bird had little trouble for the rest of the race. He managed to move up to fifth in the closing stages of the race but was forced to hand the place back as he passed under yellow flags. He lost a further place and crossed the line in seventh place.

Unfortunately, Bird’s second race of the weekend was cut short. After the opening lap collision between the championship contenders, Bird was propelled to fourth after starting eighth.

It was all downhill from there, though, as the Brit’s car lost power shortly after the safety car returned to the pits. A mechanical problem with the throttle meant he had to retire from the race.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512310716-c8bf2e2d-dbb95043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Starting position; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Saturday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%227%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%207%3B%207%3B%208%3B%209%3B%2016%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%205%3B%205%3B%207%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sunday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%228%3B%205%3B%205%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Sam Bird’s: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers – Saturday” tab_id=”1461512375203-dc62694e-d0395043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:26.370.

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Best time in FP2: 1:24.666.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:30.453

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Best time in the race: 1:27.656.

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 73.7s (3.7s gap).

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Best time in FP1: 1:25.359.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:23.930.

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Best time in the race: 1:28.374.

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Saturday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Today was a tough race. I know I can do better on this track and I’m going to give my all tomorrow – this season has had highs and lows and I want to finish on a high, I believe I can.”[/pullquote]

Sunday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It’s a disappointing way to finish and a shame that we couldn’t hold on to third place in the Drivers’ Championship. But the season’s over now and I think if you’d told us after Beijing that we’d have a P3 in the Teams’ Championship then we’d have taken it. It’s an improvement on last season and now it’s a case of pushing on again.”[/pullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513704972-abbca216-e1a55043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sam%20Bird%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%226%3B%2024%3B%2024%3B%2052%3B%2060%3B%2071%3B%2082%3B%2082%3B%2088%3B%2088%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Championship standings”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Jean-Eric Vergne” color=”green”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion style=”outline” color=”green” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Vergne’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512547855-b3644413-70595043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_column_text]

Jean-Eric Vergne was the biggest winner from the rain. The Frenchman crashed out of qualifying before he could start his 200kW lap, but that was before the heavens opened, and nobody else could set a lap faster than his on the wet track, which meant he would start fifth on the grid.

Vergne managed to make Formula E a contact sport during the opening race of the weekend, causing complaints from both Oliver Turvey and Robin Frijns. The Frenchman squeezed past Frijns in the pit stops and it wasn’t long before he had a recovering Di Grassi right behind him.

Vergne was running in third when he almost ended Di Grassi’s race when the Brazilian tried to squeeze past him. The Frenchman shut the door on di Grassi, breaking the Brazilian’s front wing. Both were able to finish the race, Vergne taking his second podium of the season.

Vergne wasn’t quite as lucky in race two qualifying, when he started the race seventh. The Frenchman was able to benefit from retirements ahead of him and, in a much quieter race than the first of the weekend, he crossed the line in third.

It wasn’t quite that simple, though. The Virgin car slowed as it came across the line, Vergne running out of energy just before the chequered flag. He was penalised and, though he crossed the line third, he came eighth in the standings. He was also penalised for an unsafe release.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512548457-fc72c98b-1a615043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Starting position; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Saturday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%225%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%203%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sunday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%227%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Vergne’s: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers – Saturday” tab_id=”1461512549057-0abe4d02-33bc5043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:26.997.

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Best time in FP2: 1:23.460.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:26.799.

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Best time in the race: 1:28.361.

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 71.0s (1.0s gap)

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Best time in FP1: 1:23.331.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:23.783.

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Best time in the race: 1:27.214.

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 71.1s (1.1s gap).

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Saturday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It was a great result. I’m really happy and owe this one to my team. Today I had some luck after my crash when the rain came, so no one could beat my time. The team has done an incredible job to fix the car in time before the race, so I need to say a big thanks to them. Hopefully we can get another good result tomorrow.”[/pullquote]

Sunday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It is really frustrating that we weren’t able to get another podium today. I was pushing hard in the second half of the race and unfortunately the team miscalculated how much energy we had left. These things happen in motor racing but I think the last few races for me have been pretty good.”[/pullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513723518-ee223709-f56c5043-b572853b-7c50513a-874f”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%200%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%2024%3B%2037%3B%2052%3B%2056%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Championship standings”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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Images courtesy of Rajan Jangda

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