Jean-Eric Vergne winner in Monaco

Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah) confirmed the pace shown since the start of the weekend in the Principality of Monaco, winning the ePrix this Saturday ahead of Oliver Rowland (Nissan e.dams) and Felipe Massa (Venturi), who signed his first podium in the discipline, at home for his stable.

At the start, Vergne had well controlled Pascal Wehrlein (Mahindra Racing), the two drivers quickly opening a small gap on their pursuers after a start without major incidents in the peloton

However, Wehrlein made a mistake at the first corner after a little less than 10′ of racing and saw Rowland and Massa overtake him. This episode already seals the podium of the event, since the positions will no longer change. Vergne then took the opportunity to build a cushion 2″ ahead of the competition.

Animation in the peloton

To find traces of fights on the track, it is towards the heart of the peloton behind the leading quartet that we must turn. Robin Frijns (Virgin Racing), championship leader before this Monaco meeting, is one of the main entertainers on the track.

You can't overtake on Tobacco? Nobody told @RFrijns #MonacoEPrice #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/WHfhdIqo64

- ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) 11th May 2019

The race remains rather calm until around the 30th lap with a brief Full Course Yellow deployed to clear away debris from the car of Alex Lynn (Jaguar Racing), after a fight with Maximilian Günther (Dragon Racing). Behind Vergne, Oliver Rowland (Nissan e.dams), Felipe Massa (Venturi) and Wehrlein took the opportunity to regroup with the leader.

After the restart, Vergne retained the advantage, while further back in the standings, Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler) was eliminated following contact with Alexander Sims (BMW i Andretti) while braking at the hairpin

The last notable episode of the race will be the contact between Robin Frijns and Alexander Sims less than 3′ from the finish when braking for the first corner. The Dutchman thus loses big points in the title race.

Vergne won in the end, and became the first driver to score two victories this year. Rowland and Massa complete the podium ahead of Wehrlein and Sébastien Buemi (Nissan e.dams), which thus loses its crown in the Principality, having won the two previous and only editions in 2015 and 2017.

Sam Bird (Virgin Racing) could aim for the points for sixth place, but was forced to stop on the last lap.

Vergne also took the opportunity to take control of the Drivers' championship.

Discover the full report of the Monaco ePrix, produced by our special correspondent in the Principality, in issue 2216 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.