Diriyah: Sam Bird wins, Vergne on the podium

The force of habit. Since the launch of the Formula E, only one driver has achieved a victory in each season, Sam Bird. The Englishman is no exception to the rule this year, since he won the second race of the weekend in Diriyah in Saudi Arabia. The new Jaguar driver, transferred from Virgin Racing, scores his first success with the manufacturer and confirms his impressive consistency.

To win, he masterfully managed the use of attack modes, which allowed him to get the better of his former teammate and pole sitter Robin Frijns, ultimately second.

Today's comeback is to the credit of DS Techeetah drivers, Jean-Eric Vergne and Antonio Felix Da Costa. The Frenchman who started 7th and the reigning champion who started 10th returned to 3rd and 4th position. And yet, they could have lost everything. They first fought each other to the limit of the accident, while they were in the running for victory.

Then, the exit of the safety car ten minutes from time could have prevented Vergne from putting on his second obligatory attack mode. But the final red flag saved him.

On the other hand, the big losers are the motorized pilots Mercedes. Untouchable Friday, Nyck De Vries paid his qualifying ban, just like Stoffel Vandoorne, the 2020 vice-champion. Edoardo Mortara, also in great shape on Friday, was not even able to take part in the race after his spectacular exit during practice.

Another favorite, Sébastien Buemi (Nissan DAMS) retired following a mechanical problem while standing in the points. Mitch Evans, third on Friday with his Jaguar, also retired after a collision with Maximilian Günther (BMW).

The championship ranking: