In a stirring comeback drive from 18th on the grid, Jean-Eric Vergne made his way forward into fifth place in Saturday’s New York City E-Prix.
More to the point, the result was enough for Vergne to clinch the ABB FIA Formula E Championship with one race remaining. It’s the first for him as part of the Techeetah Formula E team.
The Frenchman carved his way into the top 10 and points on Lap 16 of the 45-lap scheduled race, with a pass of his championship rival Sam Bird of DS Virgin Racing.
Vergne’s ultimate pass to score enough points though came when he passed his teammate, Andre Lotterer, at Turn 6 for fifth place on Lap 29.
Bird finished ninth, and the resulting eight points gained by Vergne helped put the margin out of reach. Vergne needed a 29-point gap, and leaves this race with a 31-point gap with one point to play.
As for the race, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s Lucas di Grassi drove from 11th on the grid to the victory. It’s the Brazilian’s second straight win and sixth straight top-two finish.
Audi scored a 1-2 with di Grassi getting around teammate Daniel Abt after the pit stop sequence. Season two champion Sebastien Buemi of Renault e.dams finished third after starting on pole.
With the driver’s title decided, today’s result sets up a showdown between Techeetah and Audi for the team’s championship. Either will dethrone Renault, which has held the top spot each of the first three seasons.