Vergne crowned for the second time, Frijns winner in New York

Robin Frijns (Virgin Racing) won this Sunday the very last ePrix of the 2018-2019 season of the Formula E in New York while Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah) succeeds in its bet by retaining its crown obtained in 2017-2018 in the 100% electric single-seater championship.

The first lap was marked by contact between André Lotterer (DS Techeetah) and José Maria Lopez (Dragon Racing). The Argentinian was sent into a spin, but was finally able to continue his journey just like Lotterer.

The safety car was, however, deployed after a little more than 5′ of racing, after the stop of José Maria Lopez (Dragon Racing), forced to stop with a damaged left rear suspension, undoubtedly a consequence of the contact of the first round. Lotterer also enters the pits to retire.

The Frijns show

Beaten at lights out by Sébastien Buemi (Nissan e.dams), thus moving up to second position, Robin Frijns (Virgin Racing) waited until halfway through the race to begin his comeback, first overtaking the Swiss and then the leader from the start Alexander Sims (BMW i Andretti), at the cost of muscular overtaking.

Wow, @RFrijns takes the lead from @AlexanderSims! #ABBFormulaE #NYCPrix pic.twitter.com/gp5ewFX5fC

- ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) July 14, 2019

From then on, Frijns will go it alone to achieve his second victory of the season after that obtained around Les Invalides in Paris. Alexander Sims and Sébastien Buemi complete this last 2018-2019 podium ahead of Sam Bird (Virgin Racing) and Daniel Abt (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler).

Vergne doubles down

It is the Frenchman who emerges as the big winner from this New York final by winning his second consecutive crown, an unprecedented performance. The DS Techeetah driver played it safe by closely marking his two main rivals Mitch Evans (Jaguar Racing) and Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler) throughout the race.

Especially since the New Zealander and the Brazilian come into contact in the very last lap, Evans, visibly losing energy, trying to close the door on di Grassi. Vergne thus ensured by finishing the event in 7th position ahead of Stoffel Vandoorne (HWA). Sébastien Buemi finally finished in second place in the Drivers' championship ahead of Lucas di Grassi.

Among the teams, DS Techeetah is also titled against Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler.

Discover the full report of the New York Formula E final, in issue 2225 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.