DS VIRGIN RACING UNVEILS FORMULA E SEASON FOUR CHALLENGER

•Team's most iconic moments celebrated in new launch film

•The unveil timing coincides with anniversary of the team's maiden victory

•First ePrix of the 2017/2018 season takes place in Hong Kong on 2 & 3 December

DS Virgin Racing has today launched its season four Formula E car – the DSV-03 – ahead of the opening rounds in Hong Kong, and coinciding with the anniversary of the team's maiden victory.

The fully-electric single-seater features an enhanced livery in the team's now familiar purple, red and silver colour scheme, with subtle tweaks throughout. Under the cover, the experts at DS Performance have worked on further optimising the performance and efficiency of the car, including a new upgraded software system.

In the cockpit sees the first ever all-British driver pairing of Sam Bird and Alex Lynn. Bird, 30, has competed in all 33 of the team's race starts, securing five wins and nine podiums along the way to make him the third highest Formula E points scorer to date. Meanwhile, Lynn, 24, will embark on his first full-time campaign following his impressive debut last season in which he secured pole position at his first attempt; becoming one of only two drivers to have ever done so.

Today's unveil also marks three years to the day since the team's first ever win during the Putrajaya E-Prix in 2014 with Sam Bird at the wheel. This provided the inspiration behind the team's new launch film, which celebrates the outfit's heritage, successes and most iconic moments – both on and off the track – including the incredible double victory during last season's inaugural New York E-Prix.

The 2017/2018 FIA Formula E Championship begins in Hong Kong on 2nd and 3rd December with a double-header set around the Central Harbour-front and overlooking the city's skyscraper backdrop. The 10-turn route extends 1.15mile (1.86km) along Lung Wo Road, Man Yiu Street and Yiu Sing Street, and marks the second consecutive year for the city to host the event.

The circuit remains largely unchanged from last season aside from a revised chicane at Turns 3 & 4, with the drivers reaching speeds of up to 125mph (200kph) at the quickest point. New for this year will be two races of varying distances (43 and 45 laps) to add an extra element to the racing strategy.

DS Virgin Racing also continues with its strong partner line-up into season four with DS Automobiles, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Kaspersky and Total.

DS Virgin Racing Team Principal Alex Tai said: 'As one of only three teams to have won in every season, for sure, our aim is to continue our winning ways into season four. We have two very strong drivers in Sam and Alex, a quick car and a fantastic, experienced team, so we have all the elements needed to make a real impact in Hong Kong and beyond.'

Driver Sam Bird said: 'It's always difficult to predict what will happen ahead of a new season but for sure we've got a good package and we're ready to come out fighting. We had a series of very strong results towards the end of last season, which gave us a solid platform to develop on over the summer so hopefully this can translate into strong results.'

Team-mate Alex Lynn said: 'I'm very excited heading into my first full Formula E season. It's an amazing opportunity and one I can't wait to grasp and showcase what I can do. Preparations have gone really well, from testing and simulator work through to fitness. With DS Virgin Racing, I know I have a great team behind me and a very experienced team-mate alongside me, so I can't wait to go racing.'

DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: 'It's great to start the season in such an iconic city as Hong Kong, and we're looking forward to seeing the DSV-03 back on track. We achieved very positive pre-season testing results and this year, we will be able to start the season on the front foot, which is crucial when aiming for the win.'

Both races will be shown on Channel 5 in the UK from 09:00 with further TV coverage available throughout the globe.

To watch the 2017/2018 season launch video, visit: https://youtu.be/dC0ZkvzxOFs

Formula E Hong Kong E-Prix - Time table

Round 1: Saturday 2 December (local time)

07:00-07:45 Free Practice 1

9:30-10:00 Free Practice 2

11:00-11:36 Qualifying

11:45-12:00 Superpole

15:00 Race (43 laps)

Round 2: Sunday 3 December (local time)

08:30-09:15 Free Practice 3

11:00-11:36 Qualifying

11:45-12:00 Superpole

15:00 Race (45 laps)

DS Virgin Racing – Formula E race car technical details

Race car: DSV-03 homologated by the FIA

Dimensions: (Length x Width x Height) 5m x 1.78m x 0.99m

Wheel base: 3.10 metres

Weight of the car: 880kg minimum with pilot

Battery weight: 320kg (capacity 28 KW/h)

Engine: One electric motor / rear wheel drive

Max power: 200kW (271ch)

Racing energy recovered power: 150kW

Supply: 700V

Gear box: 3 speed

Brakes: Ventilated carbon disks, 4-piston calipers; adjustable F/R

with distribution controlled from the interior

Max. speed: 140mph (225kph)

Acceleration 0 to 62mph (100km) in less than 4 seconds

Tyres Michelin Pilot Sport EV 2, 245x40R18 (F), 305x40R18 (R)

2017/2018 Formula E calendar

2nd & 3rd December 2017 Hong Kong – with 2 races

13th January 2018 Marrakesh

3rd February 2018 Santiago (Chile)

3rd March 2018 Mexico

17th March 2018 Sao Paulo

14th April 2018 Roma

28th April 2018 Paris

19th May 2018 Berlin

10th June 2018 Zurich

14th and 15th July 2018 New York – with 2 races

28th and 29th July 2018 Montréal – with 2 races

by DS Automobiles

by DS Virgin Racing