Formula E: Vergne Shines in Qualifying but Narrowly Misses Podium in Intense Shanghai ePrix
In the searing heat of the Friday afternoon session, Formula E drivers were first given the opportunity to explore the Shanghai circuit on foot – a crucial exercise that allows them to visualize the track they will race on, especially one that is new to the championship.
The initial shakedown laps confirmed the challenging nature of the circuit, and it was Jean-Éric Vergne of the DS Penske team who set the pace, recording the third fastest time in the first session and topping the standings in the second. This foreshadowed the strong performance to come from the Frenchman.
Qualifying Dominance
Come qualifying, both DS Penske cars made it through to the quarter-finals, with Vergne securing pole position, edging out Nissan’s Oliver Rowland. “It’s great to be on pole here today,” said a delighted Vergne. “Qualifying wasn’t easy, it’s very slippery and you have to be very careful not to make any mistakes.”
Challenging Race Conditions
The race, however, proved to be a complex affair. The Shanghai circuit offers limited opportunities for energy regeneration, and drivers had to carefully manage their battery usage. Vergne’s pole position and teammate Stoffel Vandoorne‘s eighth-place grid slot gave the team a strong platform to work from.
As the race unfolded, the tight field saw numerous position changes, with the top 12 drivers separated by just five seconds. Vergne fought hard, but contact and a damaged front wing hampered his progress, and he ultimately crossed the line in sixth position, with Vandoorne finishing ninth.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t convert the pole position into a podium finish,” Vergne said. “But we’ve learned a lot today, and we’ll be working hard to come back stronger on Sunday.”
With the data gathered on Saturday, the teams and drivers will now focus on refining their energy management strategies for the second day of racing in Shanghai.
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