For the second time in three races, TECHEETAH celebrated a couple podium finish as Jean-Eric Vergne and Stephane Sarrazin repeated their second and third places from New York in the Hydro-Quebec Montreal ePrix.
TECHEETAH is the only customer team in the championship and also its newest team. As a result it did the least pre-season testing of all the teams and the growing pains were clear in the opening races. However, Vergne had shown the package had pace by going fastest in the qualifying groups in Marrakesh.
A podium finish in Buenos Aires was followed by another in Mexico City for Vergne and he became an outside contender for the title. But back-to-back retirements in Monaco and Paris ended his hopes.
Stephane Sarrazin joined the team for Berlin, but it was TECHEETAH’s least competitive showing of the season. That was reversed in New York, while another double podium in Montreal means it has a shot at ending the season fourth in the Teams’ championship.
“I’m so happy for the team and it was brilliant that Stephane was there with me [on the podium,” said Vergne. “We are getting stronger and stronger and it is a great sign for next season.
“I am very happy with this race I think it was a fantastic one. I’m very happy with this track, it’s amazing. I love the city and the atmosphere is amazing, there were a lot of fans that I could see under the Qualcomm Safety Car period, so a massive thank you to the city of Montreal and all the fans for coming and watching the race, I hope they enjoyed the show.
“As for my race, the start was a bit chaotic, I got hit on the outside and the inside, I lost quite a lot of positions and a lot of ground but I think the speed was absolutely amazing. I thought the car was just perfect and was able to push really hard. I was catching everyone in front, using less energy than them, so I think the strategy was really nice.”
Vergne will have his final chance at claiming the team’s first win this season in the title decider tomorrow. The action starts at 8am (local time).