Mitch Evans surprises Jean-Éric Vergne and wins the Jakarta ePrix

Jean-Éric Vergne (DS Techeetah) has long thought of finally unlocking his victory counter in Indonesia. Mitch Evans (Jaguar) was not of this opinion and came to spoil the Frenchman's party by grabbing first place at the finish line of the Jakarta ePrix. With this new second place, the DS Techeetah driver signs his 5th podium of the season while the New Zealander wins his third success of the season after his double in Rome. The battle for victory was played out until the last lap with Edoardo Mortara (Venturi) who also caught up with the two leading drivers. The Swiss ultimately had to settle for third place, 2 tenths behind the Frenchman. 

This year Formula E made its debut in Indonesia after seeing Covid cancel the first edition in June 2020. In qualifying, the two DS Techeetahs dominated the competition by taking the front row ahead of Mitch Evans and Edoardo Mortara. Initially, the positions remained the same. It was finally Jean-Éric Vergne who dived first at turn 16 to go for his attack mode followed by his teammate. The Jaguar driver copied the strategy of the two DS. Meanwhile, Edoardo Mortara had started to make the three leaders doubt by being at the same pace without his power boost. 

The 3rd victory for Mitch Evans this season

It was finally 6 minutes from the end of the race that the ePrix experienced a twist. Until then Jean-Éric Vergne had managed to defend Mitch Evans' attacks. But at turn number 7, the New Zealander took advantage of the Frenchman not closing the door to come to the inside of the turn and take control of the race. In second position, the native of Pontoise will try to recover his place with the fan boost but nothing helps, the Jaguar was too fast on this track. The Frenchman was even forced at the very end of the race to watch his back with Edoardo Mortara getting closer and closer. Behind the three leading men, Antonio Félix Da Costa (DS Techeetah) finished in 4th position ahead of Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes) who tried until the last lap of the race to overtake the Portuguese. 

WHAT A MOVE FROM @mitchevans_ 🤯

He swoops down the inside of @JeanEricVergne for the lead in Jakarta!

LIVE timing 👉 https://t.co/UA9ig2D3Mc

🇮🇩 2022 #JakartaEPrice pic.twitter.com/FhsyJaftQ6

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) June 4, 2022

With this podium, Jean-Éric Vergne takes second place in the Drivers' standings ahead of Edoardo Mortara. Stoffel Vandoorne, despite his 5th place, remains in control of the ranking with 5 points ahead of his new runner-up. The winner of the Jakarta ePrix, for his part, puts himself back in the fight for the title with 109 points against the Belgian's 121. In Marrakech, Jean-Éric Vergne will try to get his first victory of the year. A success which continues to elude him after 9 rounds this season. 

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