Jean-Eric Vergne collected this third podium trophy of the season in Portland, after securing a third place finish at DS PENSKE’s home race weekend. The two-time Formula E champion managed to keep out of trouble and pull off an impressive climb from 14th to third.
Speaking about the great result, both for himself and the team, Vergne was full of positivity with a big smile on his face. “It's good for everybody,” he said. “Obviously, when we started, I didn't really know what to expect. But I think we had a good strategy.”
JEV was running in fifth, but a rare error from championship leader Nick Cassidy on the penultimate lap and Mitch Evans having a five-second penalty, saw the DS PENSKE pilot promoted up into third.
“For once I had a very clean race, so I'm quite happy with that,” he added. “I think it's the first time I finished my car in one piece! It seems that everybody was behaving quite well today.
“It was a nice race and I am extremely happy with third. They are strong points for the championship, for the team and on the home site of Jay Penske. It's nice for him and for our partners.”
It was another strategy-heavy race, with plenty of tactical moves and energy-saving tactics. Comparing the style of racing to that of the Tour de France.
“If you don't go to the front at the right moment, you may never go to the front. But on the other hand, if you go too early, you may burn too much energy and then you will not stay at the front. This expands what we are learning and the key in every race is to know where to go.”
Vergne and DS PENSKE will be back again tomorrow for Round 14 of the 2024 Hankook E-Prix as they fight to keep their third place in the current Teams’ World Championship standings.