DS Automobiles drivers scored points at the first Cape Town E-Prix

SPORTSAREENA.comFebruary 27, 2023

36 3 minutes read

DS Automobiles has clearly acquired again to the forefront of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship! Following Jean-Éric Vergne’s win in India at the Hyderabad circuit, the Frenchman as soon as extra fought for victory at the Cape Town circuit immediately. The international all-electric single-seater collection visited South Africa for the first time at the fifth race of the 2023 season, on a seafront circuit beneath the shadow of the spectacular Table Mountain.

DS Automobiles race weekend

JEV began from fifth on the grid and as soon as extra demonstrated the glorious efficiency and effectivity of his DS E-TENSE FE23 by steadily working his manner up the leaderboard. The solely double champion in the sport’s historical past hit the prime spot two laps from the finish (and with the quickest lap!) and located himself locked in an intense duel together with his former staff mate António Félix da Costa. While victory narrowly escaped the DS PENSKE driver, the Frenchman – nonetheless third in the provisional standings – nonetheless lowered his hole to the championship chief. Following 5 of the 16 races on the 2023 season schedule, JEV is simply 30 points behind, with all the pieces to play for.

Reigning world champion Stoffel Vandoorne additionally confirmed a formidable flip of pace throughout the E-Prix. Unfortunately, the Belgian was as soon as extra unfortunate throughout qualifying. While he was about to set his quickest lap, Stoffel needed to again off as one other competitor went off. The upshot was a last results of twelfth in qualifying: a place that didn’t mirror his true efficiency. By making up 5 locations in the race, the new DS Automobiles driver as soon as once more confirmed that he’s one among the stars of the collection.

After a month-long break following the extremely profitable journey to South Africa, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will go to one other new observe for the third consecutive time, on March 25. The subsequent race will happen over the streets of Sao Paulo in Brazil.

In their phrases

“Our DS E-TENSE FE23 cars showed fantastic performance on a very quick track and our two drivers delivered a tremendous race. JEV sealed an excellent second place from fifth on the grid, fighting for the win right up to the very end. Stoffel, for his part, fought back like a true champion from 12th to seventh place at the flag. Now we end what’s been a busy month of February, with two races that have given us a win and a second place, thanks to the hard work from all the team and each individual’s capabilities. That’s a winning recipe!”

Eugenio Franzetti, DS Performance director

“It was an excellent weekend in Cape Town. I loved the city, and there was a fantastic atmosphere around the circuit. The track itself was absolutely great too. All things considered, I’m happy with second place, and I am also happy to feel frustrated with second place! That goes to show how we have never stopped fighting back strongly as a team, race after race. As long as we keep on like this, I think I’m going to be very happy.”

Jean-Éric Vergne, 2018 and 2019 Formula E champion

“I’d like to say that it was a complicated weekend, but in fact from a team point of view, I think we did a very good job. We worked hard throughout free practice and we were all set to demonstrate our pace in qualifying. But luck wasn’t on my side. I was on a very good lap when I had to stop because of a red flag, and then I was blocked on my next try. So I found myself 12th on the grid when I genuinely thought we could be in the top five. Luckily, we had a good race again. Thanks to some great teamwork and a good pace I got back up to seventh, which allowed me to score some important points for myself and the team. JEV’s podium shows that we’re continuing to make solid progress and that all the hard work is paying off. I’m sure our luck is going to change soon!”

Stoffel Vandoorne, reigning Formula E champion