Home Podium Delight In Paris For DS Virgin Racing
May 22, 2017 by DS Automobiles
•Podium finish for Jose Maria Lopez, as Argentinian secures second at the Paris ePrix
•Second consecutive fastest lap for Sam Bird
•DS Performance delights sell-out crowd
A second place finish for Jose Maria Lopez in the Paris ePrix, and a second consecutive fastest lap for Sam Bird, saw DS Virgin Racing move into fourth place in the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Championship.
Not only was it the first time that Lopez had raced around the 1.2-mile Circuit des Invalides street circuit, but it was also his first podium in the fully-electric series after just six races.
The DS Virgin Racing drivers started the 49-lap race in third and 18th positions respectively. The Argentinian qualified an impressive third after the Superpole, whereas British-driver Bird was unfortunate to go out on his qualifying lap first, and therefore had the tougher of the track conditions to contend with.
From the beginning of the race a podium finish looked possible, with a steady start to the race until a battle between Lucas Di Grassi and Antonio Felix Da Costa resulted in a safety car deployment. Following this, a mistake by Jean Eric Vergne enabled Lopez to move into second position, where he remained until the finish, with the race ending under a safety car conditions following a second incident for Di Grassi.
A delighted Lopez commented: 'It's the first clean weekend we've had since the beginning of the season. I think we started to show our pace back in Mexico, maybe Monaco, so we just needed a clean weekend. I'm learning with every race and working really hard with my engineers, and it's great to get a podium in Paris which is fantastic for the team.'
Following the race, Bird commented: 'We showed promising pace but sadly this wasn't reflected in the result. To get fastest lap - together with the bonus point - was a small consolation, but we'll regroup and come back for the next race in Berlin.'
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The second running of the Paris ePrix certainly lived up to expectations, with the eVillage being open to fans free for two days, giving them chance to enjoy track action, stand displays and driver engagements such as autograph sessions – all in the heart of the French capital. DS Virgin Team Principal Alex Tai said: 'There was great preparation from the entire team and both drivers for this race. We had a disadvantage being in the first two qualifying groups, but it was great to see three French orientated teams and drivers, in the top three grid positions in the heart of Paris. The race was eventful and finishing under the safety car guaranteed Pechito his first podium of the season and a well-deserved second place; well done to both drivers and the entire DS Virgin Racing team.' Xavier Mestelan Pinon, DS Performance Director, said: 'It's great to achieve such a result. After two hard weeks we are happy to have been able to show the car is reliable and fast so this is promising for futures races. We know we have provided our drivers with a car that delivers.' Yves Bonnefont, DS Brand CEO, commented: 'What a week it has been for the DS brand what with this great podium coming after the French President was inaugurated riding in the DS 7 CROSSBACK the week before and the amazing DS Virgin Racing and DS E-tense parade through Paris in the week between. It's also great to move up in the championship in front of our home fans.' Rounds 7 and 8 of the Formula E series take place on 10th and 11th June at Berlin's Tempelhof Airport.
posted on conceptcarz.com
