PODIUM DELIGHT IN PARIS FOR DS VIRGIN RACING
20.05.2017 PODIUM DELIGHT IN PARIS FOR DS VIRGIN RACING * Podium finish for Jose Maria Lopez who secures second in the Paris ePrix * Second consecutive fastest lap for Sam Bird * DS Performance delights sell-out crowd during home race A second place finish for Jose Maria Lopez in today’s sell-out Paris ePrix, and a second consecutive fastest lap for Sam Bird, saw DS Virgin Racing move into fourth place in the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Championship. Not only was it the first time that Lopez had raced around the 1.94km Circuit des Invalides street circuit, but it was also his first podium in the fully-electric series after just six races. The DS Virgin Racing drivers started the 49-lap race in third and 18th positions respectively. The Argentinian qualified an impressive third after the Superpole, whereas Briton Bird was unfortunate to go out for his qualifying lap first, and therefore had the tougher of the track conditions to contend with. From the beginning of the race a podium finish looked certain, with a steady start to the race until a battle between Lucas Di Grassi and Antonio Felix Da Costa resulted in a safety car. Following this, a mistake by Jean Eric Vergne enabled Lopez to move into second position, where he remained until the end, with the race finishing under a safety car following a second incident for Di Grassi. A delighted Lopez commented: “It’s the first clean weekend we’ve had since the beginning of the season. I think we started to show our pace back in Mexico, maybe Monaco, so we just needed a clean weekend. I’m learning with every race and working really hard with my engineers and it’s great to get a podium here and fantastic for the team.�?? Following the race, Bird commented: “We showed promising pace but sadly this wasn't reflected in the result. To get fastest lap - together with the bonus point - was a small consolation, but we'll regroup and come back for the next races in Berlin." The second running of the Paris ePrix certainly lived up to expectations, with the eVillage being open to fans free for two days, giving them chance to enjoy track action, stalls and driver engagements such as autograph sessions – all in the heart of the French capital. DS Virgin Team Principal Alex Tai said: “There was great preparation from the entire team and both drivers for this race. We had a disadvantage being in the first two qualifying groups but it was great to see three French orientated teams and drivers, in the top three grid positions in the heart of Paris. The race was eventful and finishing under the safety car guaranteed Pechito his first podium of the season and a well-deserved second place; well done to both drivers and the entire team.�?? Xavier Mestelan Pinon, DS Performance Director, said: “It’s great to achieve such a result. After two hard weeks we are happy to have been able to show the car is reliable and fast so this is promising for futures races. We know we have provided our drivers with a car that delivers.�?? Yves Bonnefont, DS Brand CEO, commented: “What a week for DS with this great podium after the Presidential DS7 CROSSBACK and this amazing DS Virgin Racing parade in Paris in our home city. It’s great to move up in the championship in front of our home fans.�?? Rounds seven and eight of the Formula E series take place on June 10 and 11 at Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport. -ENDS- 2017 Qatar Airways Paris ePrix (Rd 6) - Race Results 1. Sebastien Buemi, Renault e.dams, 59:41.125s (28) 2. Jose Maria Lopez, DS Virgin Racing, +0.707s (18) 3. Nick Heidfeld, Mahindra Racing, +2.043s (15) 4. Felix Rosenqvist, Mahindra Racing, +2.621s (12) 5. Nico Prost, Renault e.dams, +3.521s (10) 6. Robin Frijns, Andretti Formula E, +7.999s (8) 7. Nelson Piquet Jr, NextEV NIO, +32.420s (6) 8. Tom Dillmann, Venturi Formula E, +32.929 (4) 9. Mitch Evans, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, +33.369s (2) 10. Stephane Sarrazin, Venturi Formula E, +34.051s (1) Driver standings 1. Sebastien Buemi, Renault e.dams - 132 2. Lucas di Grassi, ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport - 89 3. Nico Prost, Renault e.dams - 58 4. Nick Heidfeld, Mahindra Racing - 47 5. Jean-Eric Vergne, TECHEETAH - 40 6. Felix Rosenqvist, Mahindra Racing - 40 7. Sam Bird, DS Virgin Racing - 35 8. Nelson Piquet Jr, NextEV NIO - 33 9. Jose Maria Lopez, DS Virgin Racing - 28 10. Daniel Abt, Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport - 26 Team standings 1. Renault e.dams - 190 2. ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport - 115 3. Mahindra Racing - 87 4. DS Virgin Racing - 63 5. NextEV NIO - 48 6. TECHEETAH - 45 7. Andretti Formula E - 26 8. Panasonic Jaguar Racing - 19 9. Faraday Future Dragon Racing - 19 10. Venturi Formula E - 18 For more information on the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team, please visit the website: http://www.ds-virginracing.com For further information please contact: Lucy Rillstone Account Manager DS Virgin Racing E : lucy.rillstone@ds-virginracing.com T: +44 (0) 7494 567 886 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 DS AUTOMOBILES A French brand born in Paris, DS was founded on 1 June 2014. Its ambition is to embody the French know-how of luxury in its cars. Driven by its outstanding heritage and avant-garde spirit, 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 Collection comprises DS 3, DS 3 CABRIO, DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK, DS 4S, DS 5, DS 5LS, DS 6 and completed with DS 7 CROSSBACK. The models in the DS range stand apart through their avant-garde design, refinement and attention to detail, advanced technology and dynamic serenity. Presented at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, DS 7 CROSSBACK, the SUV by DS featuring Parisian-style innovation and savoir-faire, ushers in the second generation of DS models. With the DS 7 CROSSBACK La Première limited edition model, forward thinkers can reserve their car online or at a DS Store or DS Salon, and be the first to get behind the wheel. Committed to high-performance hybrid and electric cars, the Brand will launch the DS 7 CROSSBACK equipped with E-Tense, the hybrid powertrain by DS, in 2019. DS models are available from DS Stores, DS Salons and a selection of other dedicated spaces within the Citroën network. DS also has a flagship store, DS WORLD PARIS. DS represents a brand experience that goes beyond the products to include ONLY YOU, a collection of exclusive services showcased at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Follow all DS news on 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, Marrakesh, 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-