•Second-place finish for Briton as racing returns to Switzerland after 64 years

•Result closes Formula E title gap to 23-points with two rounds remaining

DS Virgin Racing's Sam Bird reduced the title deficit to rival Jean-Eric Vergne by almost half, with a second-place finish during today's frantic Formula E Zurich E-Prix.

The result sees the British racer close the gap to 23-points, with just the final two rounds in New York left to play out – an event Bird took a clean sweep in last year. It also sees his DS Virgin Racing team remain in contention for both titles.

After a strong qualifying performance earlier in the day, Bird lined-up third and battled hard throughout the early stages of the race to remain amongst the front runners, with his title rival back down in the midfield. Then, just before the halfway mark, a Full Course Yellow period – following an incident with Vergne and Felix Rosenqvist – led to a flurry of drivers head to the pits to change cars.

Bird emerged fifth and keen to push on with Vergne down in ninth. Then, Vergne and four other drivers were penalised for speeding during the FCY and each handed drive-through penalties. That allowed Bird to move into second place, just behind race-leader Lucas di Grassi, and go on to cross the line to secure his 15th Formula E career podium.

Meanwhile team-mate Alex Lynn, endured a frustrating afternoon despite showing front-running pace. A suspected battery sensory issue in his first car saw him forced to pit early after running P12. That meant he had to run a 23-lap stint in his second car, and with energy management to consider, was only able to finish 16th.

DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: 'It's been a very positive weekend for us with a podium for Sam and 17-points taken from Jean-Eric Vergne in the drivers' championship. The last two races will be in New York where we won both races last year. It is clear that the whole team will make the trip with great expectation.'

The next and final two Formula E races of the season take place in New York City on July 14/15. For more information visit www.ds-virginracing.com.

2018 FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP

ZÜRICH E-PRIX (RD 10) – RACE RESULTS (39 LAPS):

1. LUCAS DI GRASSI, AUDI SPORT ABT SCHAEFFLER, 39 LAPS (25PTS)

2. SAM BIRD, DS VIRGIN RACING, +7.542S (18PTS)

3. JEROME D'AMBROSIO, DRAGON, +16.822S (15PTS)

4. ANDRE LOTTERER, TECHEETAH, +20.295S (12PTS, FL)

5. SEBASTIEN BUEMI, RENAULT E.DAMS, +26.692S (10PTS)

6. NICK HEIDFELD, MAHINDRA RACING, +28.059S (8PTS)

7. MITCH EVANS, PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING, +30.631S (6PTS, P)

8. ANTONIO FELIX DA COSTA, ANDRETTI FORMULA E, +31.301S (4PTS)

9. OLIVER TURVEY, NIO FORMULA E, +32.180S (2PTS)

10. JEAN ERIC VERGNE, TECHEETAH, +32.833S (1PT)

16. ALEX LYNN, DS VIRGIN RACING, +51.842S

DRIVERS' STANDINGS:

1. JEAN-ERIC VERGNE, 163PTS

2. SAM BIRD, 140PTS

3. LUCAS DI GRASSI,101PTS

4. SEBASTIEN BUEMI, 92PTS

5. FELIX ROSENQVIST, 86PTS

TEAMS' STANDINGS:

1. TECHEETAH, 219PTS

2. AUDI SPORT ABT SCHAEFFLER, 186PTS

3. DS VIRGIN RACING, 157PTS

4. MAHINDRA RACING, 116PTS

5. PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING, 105PTS

Photo credit: DS Automobiles
posted on conceptcarz.com

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