Jean-Eric Vergne wins historic first Formula E race in India

NEW DELHI: Jean-Eric Vergne of DS Penske held on to win an extraordinary first-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in India in front of a sold-out crowd and a host of dignitaries, Bollywood celebrities and sports stars.

Vergne fought hard in the final third of the race to stay ahead of Envision Racing pair Nick Cassidy and Sebastien Buemi, though Antonio Felix da Costa (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) ultimately took third after the Swiss was penalized post-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.

“I like new tracks — I think it’s cool. Especially this one — it’s a lot of fun. When there’s a lot of little secrets to find on the track, I probably find them quickly enough.”

It is Vergne’s first trip to the top step of the Formula E podium since Rome in April 2021 (season 7), and he achieved it in style.

He made his way to the front of the pack on lap 15 of 32 (plus one lap following a safety car), the double champion sweeping by Buemi at the hairpin after the Jaguar TCS Racing pair removed one another from the equation two laps prior.

That incident saw Sam Bird make a lunge on the dirty side of the track on fourth-placed Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan Formula E Team).

The Brit could not slow his I-TYPE 6 in time, colliding with teammate Mitch Evans — who was in third at the time — pitching the Kiwi’s car into a spin.

Both Jaguars were ultimately forced into retirement, with the unlucky Fenestraz also left