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Closed Circuit: Techeetah in Mexico City

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The Chinese team scores its second podium in a row after Jean-Eric Vergne finished P2 in a chaotic spectacle at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Formula E newbie Esteban Gutierrez showed his potential by landing P10 in his debut race, giving Techeetah their first ever double points finish.

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After a strong performance in Buenos Aires, the Chinese team pushed even harder to maintain their position in the standings at the fourth round of the season in Mexico. Jean-Eric Vergne managed to score second place ahead of his former teammate, Sam Bird of DS Virgin Racing.

Meanwhile, local hero and Ma Qing Hua’s successor, Esteban Gutierrez, took advantage of the chaos that ensued during the final laps to move up to P10, scoring a point finish on his debut.

The team is now looking forward to try and push their way to number one in the next round at Monaco.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying” tab_id=”1461512175704-af49c202-f1e45043-b572f818-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%229%3B%205%3B%202%3B%204%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%3B%200%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Esteban%20Gutierrez%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%200%3B%200%3B%2011%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22orange%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-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2217%3B%208%3B%202%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%3B%200%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Esteban%20Gutierrez%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%200%3B%200%3B%2010%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22orange%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-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461512214611-352b21f1-c5375043-b572f818-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Techeetah%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%204%3B%2022%3B%2041%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-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_column_text]

The Frenchman was one of the few in the lead that went in for an early pitstop at the end of lap 24, giving him an advantage to chase his way up the grid later on in the race.

Vergne had a close battle with DS Virgin’s Jose Maria Lopez towards the middle of the race as the two made contact at turn two. The Frenchman however couldn’t manage to use the opportunity to pass the Argentinian, but luck was on his side when an error made by Lopez allowed Vergne to take advantage and make his way up the grid. With plenty of energy left, Vergne powered his way up the grid to finish P2 despite being stuck behind the Faraday Future Dragon Racing of Jerome d’Ambrosio for multiple laps.

The Frenchman is now at number four on the driver championship standings with 40 points just six points shy of Nico Prost’s Renault e.Dams.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512310716-c8bf2e2d-dbb95043-b572f818-eaa5c39f-e81c”][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; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 45″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%223%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%206%3B%2015%3B%205%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%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-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:03.224s (P4)

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Best time in FP2: 1:02.286s (P3)

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Best time in qualifying: 1:02.983s (P5, P4 in Super Pole)

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Best time in the race: 1:03.334s (Lap 26)

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 61.584s (+1.584s)

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513704972-abbca216-e1a55043-b572f818-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Jean-Eric%20Vergne%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%204%3B%2022%3B%2040%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=”ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ” 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=”Gutierrez’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512547855-b3644413-70595043-b572f818-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_column_text]

Despite not having had much practice in the Renault-powered Techeetah – save for a demo run on the streets of Mexico shortly before the race weekend – Gutierrez got to grips quickly with the car and showed a good understanding of energy management.

The Mexican qualified 13th on the grid but was moved up to P9 due to qualifying penalties. However, a problem with the car early on in the race slowed him down, but the former F1 driver managed to recover quickly after switching to the second car.

Gutierrez also benefited by taking advantage of the pile up between the Mahindra cars towards the end of the race to finish in a very satisfactory P10, taking a debut point at his home ePrix.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512548457-fc72c98b-1a615043-b572f818-eaa5c39f-e81c”][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; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 45″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Esteban%20Gutierrez%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%229%3B%2011%3B%2010%3B%2011%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2011%3B%2015%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2019%3B%2019%3B%2019%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2017%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2017%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2017%3B%2016%3B%2016%3B%2015%3B%2014%3B%2014%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2010%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Gutierrez: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers” tab_id=”1461512549057-0abe4d02-33bc5043-b572f818-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:04.335s (P19)

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Best time in FP2: 1:03.055s (P13)

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Best time in qualifying: 1:03.509s (P11)

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Best time in the race: 1:04.276s (Lap 20)

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 61.302s (+1.302s)

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513723518-ee223709-f56c5043-b572f818-eaa5c39f-e81c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Esteban%20Gutierrez%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%200%3B%200%3B%201%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 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.