A positive weekend for DS Penske

After Max Gunther’s victory in the first of the two Jeddah Formula E races, it was the French driver of the DS Penske staff, Jean-Eric Vergne, who stood out within the second race, spending most of it on the entrance of the pack.

Nonetheless, he misplaced a couple of positions within the closing corners earlier than crossing the end line in seventh place.

Whereas the rain had the courtesy to attend till the tip of the primary race, the monitor was totally soaked even earlier than Saturday’s follow session. And when it rains on this arid area, the drops are as large as footballs…

In simply 5 minutes, the monitor was drenched, bringing oils to the floor of the asphalt. Warning was important because the automobiles left the garages, however the floor dried as shortly because it had been soaked.

At 1300 native time, the one follow session of the day ended with a benchmark lap set by Gunther — the standout performer on Friday — in simply 1m15.044s, solely a tenth off his excellent lap from the day earlier than.

Vergne, placing in a stable effort, completed eleventh, lower than half a second from the highest. Whereas no factors have been awarded for this, it was a confidence booster.

Qualifying drama

Lots of the high drivers discovered themselves in Group A throughout qualifying. Gunther secured his ticket to the quarter-finals by ending third, whereas Vergne narrowly missed out by only one hundredth of a second.

Within the quarter-finals, Gunther confronted off towards Oliver Rowland (Nissan), who was anticipating revenge after being overwhelmed yesterday by the German’s DS Penske.

This time, the British driver had the higher hand and superior to the ultimate, the place he was finally defeated by Taylor Barnard (McLaren). At simply 20 years outdated, Barnard grew to become the youngest polesitter in System E historical past.

Vergne within the warmth of battle

Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske

Picture by: DPPI

Ranging from sixth and twelfth positions, Gunther and Vergne have been prepared for a combat. Nonetheless, an early collision between Gunther and Antonio Felix da Costa’s Porsche despatched them to the again of the pack. Pressured to pit, they each needed to retire, leaving Vergne as DS Penske’s sole remaining consultant on monitor.

The Frenchman put in a robust efficiency, sustaining a place within the high 5 — a super spot to handle power successfully.

With 36 System E podiums to his identify, JEV quickly broke into the highest three, partaking in battle with Jake Hughes’ Maserati and Barnard’s McLaren.

Not like the primary race of the weekend, there was no Pit Enhance (a compulsory cease for a fast recharge), however drivers nonetheless needed to strategically use Assault Mode, which offered four-wheel drive and further energy for eight minutes.

On the entrance, Rowland was main, however the strategic use of Assault Mode reshuffled the pack within the closing laps.

In a nail-biting end, the place each share of battery counted, Vergne was pressured to concede a couple of positions within the final corners. In his 137th System E race, the championship’s solely two-time title winner secured a seventh-place end, bringing in beneficial factors for DS Penske.

After this promising weekend, DS Penske can draw a constructive conclusion from its journey to Jeddah. Gunther delivered an excellent victory, Vergne confirmed nice willpower, and each drivers collected vital factors for the staff.

Subsequent cease is america, with a brand-new monitor in Miami on 12 April.