Vergne at 50: The reigning champion looks back

13/04/2019 Drivers, ePrix, Feature, Formula E, News, Rome ePrix

The 2019 Rome E-Prix marks Jean-Éric Vergne’s 50th Formula E race. What better time to ask the reigning Formula E champion to revisit his top 5 all-time favourite races from the all-electric series.

2018 Qatar Airways Paris E-Prix

After scoring pole position, the Frenchman took victory in front of his home crowd during the eighth round of season 4 at Paris’ Circuit Les Invalides.

“I think the best one was Paris last year, it was the most emotional win I ever had. There was so much pressure to deliver going into the race weekend and to get pole and to win the race as well getting a birthday win… it was an absolutely perfect day that almost seemed like it could never have happened, but it did happen! It was the best win by far and to be on the podium in Paris and in front of all the fans was amazing.”

2018 Qatar Airways New York City E-Prix

The season 4 finale was held on 14th and 15th July 2018 at the Brooklyn street circuit in Red Hook, where Vergne was crowned the ABB FIA Formula E champion after clinching fifth place during the first round of the double-header weekend.

“Of course New York when I won the championship!”

2018 CMMM Niobium Punta del Este E-Prix

The sun seemed to be shining on Vergne during the Uruguayan round of the championship at the sunny resort city of Punta del Este where he started on pole position and managed to clinch the first spot on the podium. But it wasn’t all smooth running for the Frenchman who had some tough competition in the last few laps of the race.

“Another favourite is Punta del Este last year because I had some luck and I started on pole, but I clearly did not have the pace to win that race and especially as I had a quick car, a quick driver and a very aggressive driver behind me with Lucas (di Grassi). But I think it was the best defensive driving I ever did, I was never aggressive, never closing the door but it was just in the right time and to have won that race with so little margin and running out of energy, it felt good to win in that way.”

2018 Julius Baer Zürich E-Prix

Formula E brought back racing to the streets of Switzerland last year. Despite facing a drive-through penalty, Vergne finished in 10th position and still maintained his lead in the driver’s championship.

“Zürich last year is another favourite, although I had a penalty and I started last but I think without the penalty, I could have fought for victory. We were super fast and I had a lot of fun overtaking everybody, that was cool race.”