After a difficult race in Japan, the DS Penske team returned to the track for the first round of the 2024 season in Europe. Misano is a permanent circuit and, for once, the track is not lined with walls. However, electric single-seaters don't have to travel too far, because on the other side of the curbs there is grass or gravel, which can be equally destructive to cars.
This unusual configuration for the championship should not impress the drivers, and the two DS Penske starters immediately felt at ease. On Friday afternoon, under clear but slightly overcast skies, the two DS E-TENSE FE23s quickly picked up the pace, before finishing the timesheets in 1st and 2nd place (with Jean-Éric Vergne in the lead). Then, on Saturday morning, it was JEV again who set the best time in the second session, with Stoffel Vandoorne immediately behind in 5th position. “The last few races have shown us that season 10 will be contested at the highest level,” commented Stoffel Vandoorne before this first race.
“After Tokyo, we continued to work hard, aware of our strengths and our potential to achieve our goals.” This potential was also demonstrated by Robert Shwartzman during the rookie test: the Russian-Israeli driver placed the DS Penske single-seater in second place in both the 300 kW and 350 kW classes.
Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, DS E-Tense FE23
Photo by: DPPI
Confirmations during the race day
In qualifying, JEV set another best time and placed first in Group A. Vandoorne was unlucky on his flying lap and did not qualify for the quarterfinals. In the duels, Vergne still seemed untouchable and easily got rid of Max Günther's Maserati. In the semi-final, Pascal Wehrlein's Porsche was no match for the DS Automobiles car. In the final, JEV met Mich Evans, whose Jaguar was one of the fastest cars of the season. It was Evans who took pole position, ahead of the Frenchman's DS Penske by just one tenth of a second.
With a front row and Wehrlein's Porsche immediately behind, the race promised to be very exciting. On this permanent circuit, where the longest straight ends in a chicane, energy strategy is very important. Everyone knows this and predicted it during the simulator sessions, and it's a cat and mouse game. The objective is to remain at the head of the group but not to tire the batteries too much, with the risk of not being able to maintain the pace until the finish line.
Jean-Éric Vergne was very convincing in this sense, steering his boat – or rather his single-seater – with an energetic dexterity that allowed him to control the positions. As the final laps approached, the French driver was still in contention for victory. He crossed the finish line in third place, but was ultimately classified sixth, following a 5 second penalty (for involvement in a collision, the subject of much discussion afterwards). Stoffel Vandoorne placed 8th, giving DS Penske another four points.
On Sunday the drivers of the Formula E world championship will return to the starting grid for the second race of the weekend.
Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, DS E-Tense FE23
Photo by: DPPI
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