Jean-Eric Vergne picked up his fourth win of the season at the final race of the 2017/18 ABB FIA Formula E Championship in New York to round-off a sensational day of sport for the French nation.
The TECHEETAH driver – and newly-crowned Formula E champion – fended off pressure from the outgoing title-winner Lucas di Grassi in a fight to the flag reminiscent of the nail-biting finish from earlier this season in Punta del Este.
Four seasons and four different champions! ????⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/j0APhqXk1Y
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) July 15, 2018
The pair were nose-to-tail for the majority of the second phase of the race, with di Grassi eventually weighing-up the risk and settling for second place alongside his team-mate Daniel Abt who finished third. The double podium finish and di Grassi’s seventh in as many races sealed the teams’ title for Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.
After thunderstorms and overcast conditions throughout the morning’s running, Vergne made a lightning start from third place on a drying track
He moved into the lead by the first corner and jumping both pole-sitter Sebastien Buemi and team-mate Andre Lotterer.
The Frenchman first looked to the outside of Buemi and then the inside with a late-braking move to take the lead and keeping TECHEETAH on the front-foot and in control of their own destiny in the teams’ title.
Lotterer, however, jumped the start and was handed a 10-place stop and go penalty
That dropped him down the order and jeopardising the chances of the team to clinch both championships.
Fortunately, Vergne didn’t suffer the same fate and kept his rivals at bay. Both Vergne and di Grassi pitted on lap 23 and couldn’t be separated after exiting their respective garages. That marked the last time for a mandatory mid-race car swap – something teams, drivers and fans have grown accustomed to in the first years of Formula E.
Vergne defended stoutly and ended his championship-winning season in style on the top step of the podium
The battle between the leading teams wasn’t over as Buemi threatened to spoil Audi’s party. The Renault e.dams driver was looking to repeat his performance from Saturday. But Abt managed to conserve his energy after pitting a lap earlier and secured the final podium spot and Visa fastest lap.
Lotterer made progress through the field to finish ninth. But it wasn’t enough as TECHEETAH narrowly missed out by only two points at the chequered flag. That is the smallest-ever winning margin in the teams’ championship.
Mahindra Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist took fifth ahead of Mitch Evans and Nelson Piquet Jr.
Nick Heidfeld brought an end to his campaign with a fourth points-scoring finish in a row in eighth. He was ahead of Lotterer and DS Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird in 10th.
Now the dust has settled on yet another intense and unpredictable season of electric street racing. Formula E now embarks on a summer break, before entering a new era in Ad Diriyah on December 15.
With four different champions – as well as new names, new faces and new cars for next season – the countdown is already on for season five.
The final podium of the 2017/18 ABB FIA Formula E Championship! Time to #DareWinCelebrate with @GHMUMM #NYCEPrix pic.twitter.com/TLwQGBgvKY
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) July 15, 2018
