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Closed Circuit: Techeetah in Buenos Aires

07/03/2017 , , , , , ,
Closed Circuit: Techeetah in Buenos Aires

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Jean-Eric Vergne unleashed the potential of the Renault-powered Techeetah machine as he took his first podium of the season and the team’s first ever. On the other side of the garage, Ma Qing Hua qualified down the field and progressed through the field but was unable to score points in Buenos Aires.

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It was a promising day for the Techeetah squad as they threatened to upset Sebastien Buemi’s run of form, with Vergne outqualifying the reigning champion and holding the lead in the early stages.

The Frenchman lost out to Buemi following the pit stops but was able to keep in touch and cross the line in second place.

Ma Qing Hua endured a difficult day as a crash in qualifying left him down in 19th on the grid. The Chinese driver made up places in the race but ended the day without points as he crossed the line in 16th.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying” tab_id=”1461512175704-af49c202-f1e45043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%229%3B%205%3B%202%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Ma%20Qing%20Hua%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2217%3B%2018%3B%2019%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-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2217%3B%208%3B%202%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Ma%20Qing%20Hua%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2220%3B%2015%3B%2016%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-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461512214611-352b21f1-c5375043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Techeetah%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%204%3B%2022%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=”JEAN-ERIC VERGNE” 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=”Vergne’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512310664-cbeb96df-4af05043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_column_text]

Buenos Aires finally showed the potential of the Techeetah team as Vergne started on the front row and was an early contender for the win.

The Frenchman passed Lucas di Grassi for the lead in the early stages but soon fell prey to the unrivalled speed of Buemi and in the end had to settle for second place.

The result gave Techeetah its first ever podium and showed that the decision to go with Renault power is paying off. If Buenos Aires is anything to go by, 2017 could see Vergne finally take his maiden victory in the series.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512310716-c8bf2e2d-dbb95043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][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; 34; 35; 36; 37″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%222%3B%202%3B%202%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%204%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Vergne: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers” tab_id=”1461512375203-dc62694e-d0395043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:09.959s (P2)

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Best time in FP2: 1:09.314s (P8)

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Best time in qualifying: 1:08.751s (P1, P2 in Super Pole)

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Best time in the race: 1:10.832s (Lap 27)

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 56.475s (+1.475s)

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513704972-abbca216-e1a55043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%204%3B%2022%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=”MA QING HUA” 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=”Ma’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512547855-b3644413-70595043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_column_text]

While team-mate Vergne prospered, Ma had a more difficult day in his Techeetah, with a trip to the turn four barrier during qualifying scuppering any chances of a strong result

Starting down in 19th position, the Chinese driver fought with the other drivers around him and moved up a handful of positions to cross the line in 16th place.

It wasn’t the result that Techeetah expected with the package they have at its disposal, but Ma can still be encouraged by the potential of the car and will look to take his first points of the season in Mexico City.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512548457-fc72c98b-1a615043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][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; 34; 35; 36; 37″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Ma%20Qing%20Hua%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2219%3B%2019%3B%2019%3B%2019%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2014%3B%2017%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Ma: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers” tab_id=”1461512549057-0abe4d02-33bc5043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:12.316s (P19)

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Best time in FP2: 1:10.320s (P15)

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Best time in qualifying: 1:22.405s (P19)

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Best time in the race: 1:12.358s (Lap 17)

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 66.639s (+11.639s)

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513723518-ee223709-f56c5043-b572f818-eaa54eaf-f36b”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Ma%20Qing%20Hua%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%200%3B%200%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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Main image courtesy of Techeetah
Support images courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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About Topher Smith
Topher is an experienced and passionate Motorsport journalist with Formula E, Formula 1, GP2/F2, GP3 and IndyCar all on his resume. When he isn't at the trackside you can find him furthering his own capabilities and knowledge through his endless search for original ideas and material. Also plays league pool.
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