Formula E: Last chance for Sébastien Buemi
SEASON FINALE Five weeks after the premiere in Zurich, the fourth Formula E season comes to an end this weekend with two races in New York. This is Sébastien Buemi's last chance to win a race as a Renault driver this year. It has been almost 14 months since Sébastien Buemi last won a race in the FIA Formula E Championship (in Berlin) [...]
It has been almost 14 months since Sébastien Buemi last won a race in the FIA Formula E Championship (in Berlin). In the fourth season of 2017/18, which ends this weekend, the 29-year-old from Vaud only made his presence felt in the spring in Marrakesh (2nd), Santiago de Chile (3rd) and Mexico City (3rd) with three podium finishes.
For the record winner (12) and 2014/15 champion, these are normally the minimum targets. If he does not win at least one race in New York, Buemi will remain winless in his fourth Formula E season, his last with Renault.
Vergne or Bird becomes champion
Buemi's lead in the championship is now unassailable. With a 23-point lead - almost as many points for a win - the first title is within reach for Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne.
His pursuer Sam Bird from DS Virgin Racing won both US races last year. If the Brit manages to do so again, it will be close.
The electric racing car from Vergnes Techeetah is powered by Renault technology. Buemi and his Renault e.dams team must therefore take their failures onto their own shoulders. The Swiss driver arrives in fourth place in the standings with 92 points, nine fewer than Lucas di Grassi.
The third-placed Brazilian, winner of the Zurich E-Prix on June 10, had just three points to his name after the first five races as defending champion. He then went on to take four second places in the Audi e-tron FE04 before celebrating his first win of the season in Switzerland and now even has a theoretical chance of winning the title.
US premiere for Buemi
Sébastien Buemi only knows the 2.373 km Brooklyn Circuit from the simulator because he had to drive with Toyota at the WEC at the Nürburgring last year. This should not be a handicap for him, so the objective remains unchanged.
After finally winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he is also on cloud nine.
Sébastien Buemi: "I'm delighted to be able to experience this event for once. In the last race with Renault, we will give everything and want to fight for victory."
Farewell to Nicolas Prost
While Renault is making way for its alliance partner Nissan in Formula E and wants to build on the Frenchman's successes with the Swiss driver, the French-Swiss Nicolas Prost is bidding farewell to this scene. Buemi will therefore have a new team-mate in 2018/19.
The venue for the last two races of the season is the Red Hook district of the New York borough of Brooklyn, with a view of the impressive Manhattan skyline. The course, which has been modified for 2018, runs directly along the shore of Upper New York Bay, which separates Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The layout with long straights, hairpin bends and fast corners promises two exciting races, which will be held over 45 laps on Saturday and 43 laps on Sunday, both starting at 3 p.m. local time (CEST 9 p.m.). Both qualifying sessions and races will be broadcast live by Mysports Switzerland and Eurosport.
