Formula E Chile: Subdued joy for Buemi
FORMULA E In the third round of the FIA Formula E in Santiago de Chile, Sébastien Buemi claimed his second podium of the season. The only downer was that the car could have done better. The Renault customer team Techeetah celebrated a one-two with Vergne and Lotterer. Sébastien Buemi didn't quite know whether he was happy about third place at the first FIA [...]
Sébastien Buemi didn't quite know whether he should be more pleased or annoyed with third place in the first FIA Formula E guest race in Santiago de Chile. With the fastest time in the first group (of four), the Vaudois, who recently became a father for the second time, qualified for the super pole qualifying session.
In the chase for the top five grid positions, only Jean-Eric Vergne was faster in the car of the Renault customer team Techeetah. While the Frenchman held the top spot after the start, Buemi lost two places.
The fourth championship round (there were two races in Hong Kong in December) rippled along a bit before a dramatic final phase developed. André Lotterer put his teammate Vergne under pressure. There was even a slight collision in a braking zone, but without consequences.
Here is the scene in the video:
The two TECHEETAH's hit each other! The battle for the top five is wide open #SantiagoEPrix @TecheetahFE pic.twitter.com/T3yGR39MK1
- ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) February 3, 2018
Buemi, for his part, defeated Nelson Piquet beforehand and fended off his attacks as well as those of the previous championship leader Felix Rosenqvist afterwards. Techeetah thus secured the first double victory for a team in FIA Formula E and, together with Sébastien Buemi, a triple triumph for Renault technology.
Vergne (71 points) thus takes over the top spot in the standings from Rosenqvist (66), who finished fourth. Sébastien Buemi moves up to fourth intermediate place behind Sam Bird (61) with 37 points.
Sébastien Buemi: "The result in Chile is good, but the car could have done better for a long time. I lost two positions at the start and then also some time during the car change because we didn't want to risk a penalty. I'm happy that I was able to keep Felix Rosenqvist behind me this time after he snatched victory from me in Marrakech shortly before the end! The 15 points are important for me and the team. So I'm looking confidently to Mexico, where hopefully we'll do even better."
