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Formula E: Jean-Eric Vergne wraps up title with a race to spare after stunning drive from last in New York

Jean-Eric Vergne celebrates winning his first Formula E title in New York: Formula E
Jean-Eric Vergne celebrates winning his first Formula E title in New York: Formula E

British driver Sam Bird’s ABB FIA Formula E Championship hopes ended in a dramatic race in New York City on Saturday as Jean-Eric Vergne drove from the very back of the grid to win the title.

The Frenchman, proudly sporting the tricolour on his Techeetah car ahead of France’s World Cup final appearance, departed the track in fury after his qualifying lap time was cancelled due to his team’s overuse of maximum power.

Starting 20th on the grid – with teammate Andre Lotterer in 19th – the ex-Toro Rosso F1 driver looked a man possessed as he stormed his way through the field to finish fifth, four places above Bird, who failed to record enough points to force a final race decider.

On a great day for Audi, Lucas di Grassi won his second E-Prix in a row, with teammate Daniel Abt coming second despite the two Audi drivers making contact during a risky overtaking manoeuvre.

The one-two finish leaves Audi just five points behind Techeetah in the Teams’ Championship standings with a race to go in New York City on Sunday.

Vergen celebrates his triumph with Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag (Formula E)
Vergen celebrates his triumph with Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag (Formula E)

Vergne becomes the fourth Formula E champion in four seasons, taking the crown from Di Grassi, and the emotional 28-year-old admitted afterwards that the achievement hadn’t yet sunk in.

He said: “I can't believe it - what a crazy race - God it feels good. Really I have no idea what it means to me to be champion – I need more time.

“I honestly didn’t know, when I crossed the line I didn’t know I had won and I didn’t want to look at the screen.”

“All I know is that it’s a good feeling but to know the full extent of winning the championship, I don’t know yet, but I have waited all season for this.”

A dramatic qualifying session saw Vergne cut from first to 20th after a technical tweak by Techeetah ended up with both cars going past the maximum power usage permitted by stewards.

Race winner Lucas di Grassi celebrates an Audi one-two on the podium (Formula E)
Race winner Lucas di Grassi celebrates an Audi one-two on the podium (Formula E)

Bird had spoken of his worry around the track suiting his DS Virgin Racing car and couldn’t make the most of the Techeetah error, only starting in 14th.

Sebastien Buemi started in pole but was unable to get his first Formula E win of the season, finishing third on the podium, while it was a disastrous day for Panasonic Jaguar Racing as both drivers did not finish despite Mitch Evans starting the race in second.

Lotterer has proven to be a fine teammate for Vergne, both on and off the track, and the German did his part climbing through ahead of Vergne before leapfrogging Vergne and slowing to push him back into the oncoming Frenchman.

Lucas di Grassi celebrates victory in the first Formula E race in New York (Formula E)
Lucas di Grassi celebrates victory in the first Formula E race in New York (Formula E)

Once Vergne had overtaken Bird, the championship looked never in doubt with the DS Virgin Racing car unable to match the speeds of the Techeetah.

But the Audi car looks to be the most impressive on the grid as it allowed Di Grassi to climb 10 places – including a risky overtake on his teammate which left Team Principal Allan McNish unimpressed – to take his second win of the season.

But the day belonged to Vergne who took the first title of the weekend for France, shouting “allez les Bleus” as he crossed the finish line to become ABB FIA Formula E champion.

Race Result:

1 – Lucas di Grassi, Brazil, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, 1.02:30.054

2 – Daniel Abt, Germany, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, +0.965

3 – Sebastien Buemi, Switzerland, Renault e.dams, +2.583

4 – Tom Dillmann, France, Venturi Formula E, +4.090

5 – Jean-Eric Vergne, France, TECHEETAH, +4.67

6 – Nick Heidfeld, Germany, Mahindra Racing, +5.142

7 – Andre Lotterer, Germany, TECHEETAH, +5.810

8 – Maro Engel, Germany, Venturi Formula E, +6.312

9 – Sam Bird, UK, DS Virgin Racing, +6.833

10 – Nico Prost, France, Renault e.dams, +8.389

11 – Antonio Felix da Costa, Portugal, MS&AD Andretti Formula E, +9.114

12 – Stephane Sarrazin, UK, MS&AD Andretti Formula E, +13.242

13 – Jerome D’Ambrosio, Belgium, DRAGON, +13.805

14 – Felix Rosenqvist, Sweden, Mahindra Racing, +35.452

15 – Luca Filippi, Italy, NIO Formula E Team, +1 lap

16 – Alex Lynn, UK, DS Virgin Racing, DNF

17 – José Maria Lopez, Argentina, DRAGON, DNF

18 – Nelson Piquet Jr, Brazil, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, DNF

19 – Mitch Evans, New Zealand, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, DNF

20 – Oliver Turvey, UK, NIO Formula E Team, DNF