Andretti Formula E Report: London ePrix Race Two
The concluding round of the 2014-2015 FIA Formula E season was a thrilling Championship decider that provided all the dramatic action expected from the Battersea Park street track. It was not the ending, however, the Andretti Formula-E Team had hoped for who come away disappointed with its ultimate sixth position in the Teams Championship and with Jean-Éric Vergne seventh in the Drivers’ competition.
Rain played an integral role in shaping the grid for Round 11 of the all-electric racing series today. Qualifying for groups one and two this afternoon were dry, whilst heavy rain fell throughout groups three and four which featured JEV and teammate Simona de Silvestro, respectively.
On a damp but drying track at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon the mixed-up field of 20 Spark-Renault chargers provided a 29-lap spectacle that shall be talked about for weeks! The 2014-15 Championship was won by Nelson Piquet Jr. by a single point following a heart-stopping finale event that was action-packed from lights out until the chequered flag – truly one for the history books as the inaugural FIA Formula E season comes to a close.
Michael Andretti, Team Principal & Owner, Andretti Formula-E Team
“I am proud to have had Andretti Formula E as part of the historic, inaugural season of the FIA Formula-E Championship. The season and series both lived up to, and surpassed, expectations. We are looking forward to advancing our powertrain with the start of Andretti Technologies and returning for an even more competitive Season Two.”
Roger Griffiths, Co-Team Principal, Andretti Formula-E Team
“It was a very disappointing way to end the season after such a great day yesterday. We had a drive through penalty with JEV after he’d made a great start and passed several cars. We are still investigating the reason for the drive through; it’s unclear at this stage. Simona ran a solid race. She managed to stay out of trouble, with a clean car change, but at the end of the day we were just unable to get the result we had hoped for.
“We’ll now focus on next season and look forward to the preparations over the next couple of months. It’s going to be a very busy off season with a lot of exciting things to come for our second season in Formula E. The first season has been a tremendous experience; we’ve learned a lot and really appreciate what Formula E has given us the opportunity to do.”
Jean-Éric Vergne, No. 27 Spark-Renault SRT_01E
– Qualified in P14 from Group Three
– Finished P16 at the end of round 11 today at Battersea Park, London
– Came seventh overall in the 2014-15 Drivers’ Championship
“Being ill made it a really difficult day, but I am happy to have done qualifying and the race with no problem. Being quick in qualifying in the wet was obviously not good enough for a decent position on the grid, but nevertheless I made up a few positions at the start and during the race. Unfortunately I had a drive through penalty and so points were not possible, or the race result we wanted today.”
Simona de Silvestro, No. 28 Spark-Renault SRT_01E
– Qualified in P13 from Group Four
– Finished her second electric-race in a solid P12
“I am definitely not happy with the result, but all in all it was a good weekend because we learned a lot for myself, so that is something that is really positive. For sure if I get to drive one of these cars again I know a little bit more about what to do. The team did a great job all weekend, so I am really happy that I was part of the Andretti Formula E Team in London.”
Andretti Formula-E Team ends the inaugural FIA Formula-E Team Championship in sixth place with 116 points and driver Jean-Éric Vergne in seventh in the Drivers’ competition.
For information and exciting Season Two announcements and new about the Andretti Formula-E team, stay tuned to AndrettiAutosport.com, and via Twitter with @AndrettiFE.
