Vergne stretches Formula E lead with Uruguay win

Jean-Eric Vergne now leads the Formula E series by 30 points. Picture: Techeetah

Jean-Eric Vergne now leads the Formula E series by 30 points. Picture: Techeetah

Published Mar 19, 2018

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Punta del Este, Uruguay - French driver Jean-Eric Vergne won Uruguay's Formula E round from pole position on Saturday to stretch his overall lead in the all-electric series to 30 points.

The victory in the coastal resort was the Techeetah driver's second of the season and he now has 109 points with closest rival Felix Rosenqvist, the Swede who races for India's Mahindra, second on 79 after six of 12 races.

Reigning champion Lucas di Grassi of Brazil, who had scored only three points prior to Saturday, was second for the Audi-backed Team Abt after failing to find a way past Vergne in a race-long battle. Britain's Sam Bird completed the podium for DS Virgin Racing.

Penalty

Di Grassi had originally secured pole position but was demoted to second when the top four in qualifying were handed penalties just before the race following a stewards' investigation for cutting a chicane.

"We had the fastest car but really it was going to be a crash or we stay as we are," said Di Grassi of his efforts to pass Vergne.

Jaguar Racing's New Zealand driver Mitch Evans finished fourth after being sent to the back of the grid for weight distribution discrepancies.

The next round will be in Rome on 14 April.

Reuters

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