DS VIRGIN RACING SET TO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS IN MONTREAL
21.07.17 DS VIRGIN RACING SET TO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS IN MONTREAL Jose Maria Lopez returns for season finale Following its dominant display in New York, DS Virgin Racing are confident they can continue their winning ways during the final Formula E rounds of the season when the all-electric series arrives in Montreal on July 29 and 30. Standout driver Sam Bird, speaking after his double victory in the Big Apple, said: “We want to repeat this form in Montreal; we’ve won two in a row, so why not three or four?�?? Adding: “New York was just an incredible weekend for us; the team delivered a blindingly quick car with superb energy management so there’s nothing stopping us continuing this performance in Canada.�?? For the weekend, Bird will be joined by his usual team-mate Jose Maria Lopez, who was unable to race last time out, replaced by Alex Lynn who secured a superb pole position on his Formula E debut. Lopez said: “It was a shame for me to miss the New York rounds but the team did an amazing job and my congratulations go to Sam. I’m really looking forward to getting back in the car and it certainly looks like we’ve found some extra pace, so I really want to help the team finish the season on a high.�?? New York saw the team amass their largest ever points tally with 56, leaving them comfortably in fourth spot in the team standings and just 29 points adrift of third place. It also means Bird is one of four drivers who can mathematically win the drivers’ title. Set along the banks of St. Lawrence River, the Montreal track itself consists of 14 turns and winds its way along Rue Viger E and past Maison Radio-Canada, finishing on Boulevard Rene-Levesque E. Once again, drivers have two races to contend with – consisting of 35 and 37 laps respectively – reaching speeds of up to 210kph. Team Principal Alex Tai commented: “New York was an incredible event for us and we’re keen to continue this success in Montreal. Berlin was a real turning point for us and we’re confident we now have the pace to deliver yet again and end the season with more silverware.�?? DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: “After the team’s performance last time out, we want to continue our winning ways in Montreal for the final two rounds. The drivers and the engineers have already been working hard in the simulator to learn the track and find that perfect set-up to help us achieve that.�?? The Montreal rounds (11 and 12) of the FIA Formula E Championship take place on July 29 and 30. For more information on the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team, visit: www.ds-virginracing.com. -ENDS- For further information please contact: Tom Phillips, PR & Communications Manager, DS Virgin Racing E : tom.phillips@ds-virginracing.com // T: +44 (0) 7496 972965 About DS Virgin Racing: The DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team is one of the founding teams in the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship. Headed up by Team Principal Alex Tai and with the support of Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, the team works in partnership with French luxury car manufacturer DS Automobiles, working together to power innovation. Formula E is the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series, competing on the streets against the backdrop of some of the most iconic cities. The series 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. For further information visit: Website: www.ds-virginracing.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSVirginRacing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DSVirginRacing // @DSVirginRacing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ds_virginracing/ 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 against the backdrop of some of the most iconic cities - including Hong Kong, Marrakesh, Buenos Aires, Monaco, Paris, Berlin, New York and Montreal. 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 nine 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 electric street racing series started on October 9 in Hong Kong, with the season finale double-header taking place in Montreal 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.