Sanya E-Prix: Jean-Eric Vergne takes first Formula E win of the season on return to China
- DS Techeetah driver escapes penalty after investigation which could have seen him stripped of victory
- Defending champion holds off Nissan’s Oliver Rowland in incident-packed race in China
Jean Eric-Vergne had been surprisingly absent from the podium in Formula E this season. But the defending champion is back in the winner’s circle after a masterclass at the Sanya E-Prix on Saturday.
The DS Techeetah driver was on the front row for his team’s home race, and his season exploded into life, as did a previously quiet E-Prix, with around 21 minutes to go when he overtook pole-sitter Oliver Rowland.
The Frenchman, who had six podiums and four wins in season four, held on to take the win in Formula E’s first race in mainland China since Beijing in season two, ensuring the Chinese national anthem would be played on the podium. Nissan’s Rowland was second ahead of BMW’s Antonio Felix Da Costa, who is the new championship leader.
Vergne could have been stripped of the victory with the FIA investigating whether he did not respect the safety car procedure when the cars came back out after a red flag with just over 10 minutes to go. But he escaped a penalty, receiving just a reprimand, and shoots up to third from 11th in the drivers’ standings.
“It feels good, it’s been a long time not winning, I couldn’t ask for more today,” Vergne said. “It’s so good for the team, we had a very tough beginning of the season.”