DS TECHEETAH CELEBRATES FIRST DOUBLE PODIUM AND ANTONIO FELIX DA COSTA’S FIRST WIN FOR THE TEAM

DS TECHEETAH took their first double podium of the season today under the Moroccan sun, seeing Antonio Felix da Costa claim his first win with the team and his third career win in the championship with team-mate Jean-éric Vergne in third. This put DS TECHEETAH and Antonio on top of the standings at the chequered flag.

The fifth round of the ABB FIA Formula E championship truly showcased the pace of the DS E-TENSE FE20 race cars and the calibre of the two DS TECHEETAH drivers seeing Antonio lead from pole to the top step of the podium. Having had a rough start to the championship and to this race weekend, the crowds watched Jean-éric Vergne start from P11 and work his way 9 positions all the way up to P2. As ever, Formula E is an energy game and to be able to cross the line with enough energy, he had to settle for P3, scoring 15 championship points to slot into seventh place in the Drivers’ championship.

Mark Preston, DS TECHEETAH Team Principal:

“I can’t say much more than how proud I am of our drivers and the whole team today. Relentless efforts from everyone has put us in the lead of both championships and have put JEV back in a place to fight for another championship title. Now we need to make sure we continue riding this wave all the way to London and the final rounds of the Season Six championship.”

Xavier Mestelan Pinon, DS Performance Director:

“Thanks to this wonderful victory from Antonio and to the incredible 3rd place of Jean-éric we are now leading both championships! The team worked a lot since Mexico and we made very ambitious changes to the DS E-TENSE FE20, which allowed us to achieve our goals. I would like to thank the whole team and the drivers for their exceptional effort today. London is still far away, but, as I have said since the start of the season, we are there to defend our titles and we have the means to do it.”

Antonio Felix Da Costa, P1:

“I’m super, super happy with that pole position and race win today, it was amazing! We are definitely on a run. I’m even more happy how the whole team is reacting to various situations and how hungry everyone is to win, so massive hats off to the team and also to JEV for his drive today. Two cars on the podium after he has such a hard day yesterday its really cool. So really, really pleased with our team work today.”

Jean-éric Vergne, P3:

“This was definitely my most difficult weekend in Formula E. Nevertheless, the team did a very good job preparing the car, so I felt like I was in a good place when I jumped in this morning after missing FP1 yesterday. I did a good qualifying lap despite the circumstances, only three tenths off and in the race, I just went for it. At some point I asked my engineer about my position and I couldn’t believe I was up in P4 by then, the race just flew by and it’s so good to finally be back on the podium but now I will need some time to recover before the next race.”