Formula E Monaco: Vandoorne Secures Podium Finish for DS Penske
The streets of Monaco played host to the latest round of the 2023 Formula E World Championship, and it was a day of mixed fortunes for the teams and drivers.
As the series arrived in the Principality, the weather proved to be a challenge, with cool temperatures and cloudy skies greeting the drivers. Despite the less than ideal conditions, the action on track did not disappoint.
British driver Sam Bird was the first to fall victim, suffering a steering issue that saw him crash his McLaren into the barriers, forcing him to be replaced by rookie Taylor Barnard. However, as the morning progressed, the weather improved, and the teams were able to showcase their special liveries and outfits for the prestigious Monaco event.
It was the DS Penske squad that made the biggest impression, with their gold and black livery drawing plenty of attention. Drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Éric Vergne navigated the tricky qualifying session well, with Vandoorne making it through to the final where he faced off against Pascal Wehrlein’s Porsche.
In the end, it was Wehrlein who emerged victorious, but Vandoorne’s solid performance saw him secure a podium finish, with Vergne finishing just behind in fourth. The result was a positive one for the DS Penske team, who had prioritized getting both cars into the points.
“I handled the start of the race very well,” said Vandoorne. “I took the lead and managed to hold on to it by activating my first Attack Mode, but it’s just a shame that I didn’t manage to do the same with the second attack mode.”
The race itself was punctuated by a couple of safety car periods, but Vandoorne and Vergne were able to maintain their positions and bring home a strong result for the team.
With the series now heading to the next round in Berlin, the DS Penske squad will be looking to build on their success in Monaco and continue their push towards the top of the Formula E standings.
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