Jean-Eric Vergne victorious as Formula E debuts in India
Jean-Éric Vergne has taken out the action-packed FIA Formula E debut in India.
Jean-Eric Vergne celebrates after taking out the Hyderabad E-Prix. (FIA Formula E)
Vergne fought hard to hold off the chasing Envision Racing pair of Nick Cassidy and Sébastien Buemi in the closing stages of the incident-packed Hyderabad race.
“I’m very, very happy. It was a tough race – I had to defend quite hard at the end but we somehow managed to win it," said Vergne.
"It was a clean race, no mistakes."
"Very happy with the win today."
"It’s good for everyone’s heart in our team."
"For the first few races it’s good to boost it with a good race like that so couldn’t be happier."
It is Vergne's first win since Rome in April 2021, and his first for new team partnership DS PENSKE.
The Frenchman made his mark on the history books, winning the first ever ABB Formula E World Championship race in India.
“I like new tracks - I think it’s cool."
"Especially this one – it’s a lot of fun. When there is a lot of little secrets to find on the track, I probably find them quickly enough.”
The race erupted when the Jaguar TCS Racing teammates collided. (FIA Formula E)
The race erupted on lap 13 when Sam Bird made a lunge into the hairpin on fourth-placed Sacha Fenestraz, unable to stop and taking out Jaguar TCS Racing teammate Mitch Evans.
Vergne made the move for the lead two laps later, but was chased down by the Envision Racing teammates, with Kiwi Nick Cassidy holding four percent more energy than the leader.
Vergne defended hard to claim the well-fought victory ahead of Cassidy and Buemi, with Buemi losing third to António Félix da Costa after a post-race penalty for running overpowered.
In a blow to his fight for the championship, Jake Dennis fell to sixteenth at the line after being rear-ended by NEOM McLaren driver René Rast on lap 26 while running fourth, while fellow McLaren driver Jake Hughes crashing out after a bizarre accident.
The Briton's mirror came off in an earlier incident and landed in his cockpit, disabling his steering wheel and sending him into the wall.
Championship leader Pascal Wehrlein was fourth, extending his championship lead over Dennis to 18 points, while race-winner Vergne jumped to third in the standings.
The 2022-23 FIA Formula E world championship returns 25 February in Cape Town, South Africa.
