One Champion, One National Hero: DS Virgin Racing Feeling Bullish Ahead Of Buenos Aires
10.02.16 One Champion, One National Hero: DS Virgin Racing Feeling Bullish Ahead Of Buenos Aires DSVR driver Sam Bird returning champion, having won the BA race last year DSVR driver and local fan favourite Jose Maria Lopez is sole Argentinian Formula E driver “A track that represents the best parts of Formula E�?? – Sam Bird Sam & Jose Maria Lopez picture here: http://sentpressrelease.com/pressrelease/attachment/257886/ec31d6de-5fdf-4dd1-b517-9276509397bf/72caf480-3de3-4ccb-b05d-002d2b9ecba5?fileDisplayName=SamPechitoMarraPR1.jpg DS Virgin Racing are feeling bullish ahead of the Buenos Aires ePrix on February 18th. Jose Maria Lopez, as the only Argentinian in the Formula E series approaches this race spurred on by knowing that he’ll have the local crowd firmly behind him. Meanwhile Driver Sam Bird has form at this track having won a thrilling contest in BA last season and now enters the season 3 Buenos Aires race fresh off the back of a 2nd place finish in the previous race in Marrakech. After a break in the calendar punctuated by the virtual eRace in Las Vegas in early January, our drivers return to action in a country holding a special connection for each. Jose Maria Lopez, as the only Argentinian in the series, is a firm local favourite ahead of race day. “I’m getting a lot of media asking me how I’ll perform in Buenos Aires, it being my home country. Well, I have the team, and I have the car, so I think I have as good a chance as anyone out there on race day. I’m just excited to go out and race in front of my fans!�??. As part of his homecoming, Jose Maria Lopez will be taking part in a street parade between el Teatro Colon and the Legislatura de la Ciudadon on the Wednesday ahead of the race. Meanwhile, during a press day at Virgin Group’s London HQ last week, Sam Bird stated, “It’s a great race for drivers and better still, a great day out for spectators. After my win there last season, I’m hugely excited to get back to Buenos Aires to try and repeat the feat.�?? The Buenos Aires track itself is a unique proposition. Now in it's 3rd year with Formula E, it's the fastest track in the series - with speeds of up to 210 km/h achievable into turn 1. Sam Bird used this to his advantage last year, clocking a time of 1.09.43 in qualifying that won him pole position. Offering a full five straights along its 2.48 km, 12 turn, counter-clockwise layout, It’s a track that represents the best of Formula E. There’s a winning combination of city centre location, short track length and plenty of overtaking opportunities. DS Virgin Racing’s Testing & Development driver Alex Lynn joins the team in Buenos Aires, lending additional expertise to the garage. Lynn joined Lopez and Bird in DS Performance’s simulator in Satory recently, where the trio underwent an intense period of sim testing to prepare for Buenos Aires. “DS Virgin Racing really are fully charged ahead of Buenos Aires.�?? said Team Principal Alex Tai. “In Marrakech Sam podiumed, in a car our fantastic mechanics had rebuilt literally minutes before the race commenced. Pound for pound, Sam is one of the best and most experienced drivers in Formula E, whilst our newcomer Jose Maria Lopez offers enormous potential, and I look forward to seeing him demonstrate his capabilities in front of his home crowd.�?? The Buenos Aires ePrix takes place on Saturday February 18th at 4pm local time (-3 GMT) It will be broadcast live on UK Channel 5 and locally on Fox Sports Latin America. For further information please contact: Alasdair Byers PR & Communications Manager DS Virgin Racing E : alasdair.byers@ds-virginracing.com T: +44 (0) 7496 972968 - ENDS - Notes to the editor: DS Virgin racing compete in the FIA Formula E Championship with Sam Bird & Jose Maria Lopez. Harnessing the pioneering spirit of Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin group, and the DS brand's spirit of avant-garde, DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team exists to POWER INNOVATION to positively impact on peoples' lives. We're Virgin group's latest pioneering technology project, and we're at the forefront of electric vehicle technology development within Formula E. We promote forward-thinking transportation technologies to as diverse and large an audience as possible. For more information on the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team, please visit the website: http://www.ds-virginracing.com For our media and partner section, please visit our dedicated area: http://map.virginracing.com/ Our Facebook Page Our Twitter Feed About Virgin group: Virgin is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors including mobile telephony, travel & transportation, financial services, leisure & entertainment and health & wellness. About the DS brand A French brand born in Paris, DS was officially founded on 1 June 2014. Its clearly stated ambition is to revive the tradition of premium vehicles in the French automotive industry. Inspired by the very best of French know-how, DS perpetuates the values of innovation and distinction inherited from the first DS, launched in 1955. Designed for customers looking for a means to express themselves as individuals, the DS range now comprises New DS 3, New DS 3 CABRIO, DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK, DS 4S, DS 5, DS 5LS and DS 6. Featuring remarkable styling, premium materials and refinement in every detail, the DS range also stands apart for its technology, in particular the Hybrid 4 four-wheel-drive hybrid diesel drive train available on DS 5. Marketed in Europe in DS STORES or DS SALONS (dedicated showroom areas within the CITROËN network), DS has its own network of sales outlets in China. For customers, DS has come to represent a brand experience that goes beyond the product to include a range of exclusive premium services, in particular through the DS Privilege Club. Keep up with the latest news from DS at www.DSautomobiles.com @DS_Official About the FIA Formula E Championship: The FIA Formula E Championship is the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series, competing on the streets in the backdrop of some of the most iconic cities - including Hong Kong, Marrakech, Buenos Aires, Monaco, Paris, Montreal and New York. The championship represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a platform to showcase the latest innovations in electric vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions. Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on the development of motor and battery components, which in turn will filter down to everyday contemporary electric road vehicles. The 2016/17 FIA Formula E Championship sees 10 teams and 20 drivers go wheel-to-wheel in 12 cities spanning five continents in the fight to be crowned Formula E champion. The inaugural season of Formula E sparked into life in September 2014 around the grounds of the Olympic Park in Beijing. The third season of the all-electric racing series gets underway on October 9 in Hong Kong, with the season finale double-header in New York on July 29 & 30. About FIA & Michelin - Today’s partners for tomorrow’s mobility: As well as being the official Formula E tyre supplier, Michelin is an official partner, at the international level, of the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. The programme is designed to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety initiated by the UN, the aim of which is to save five million lives over the next 10 years. This programme is set up to educate and advocate for safer roads, vehicles and behaviours around the globe. ¿¿ -ENDS-
