Monaco Analysis: JEV lives out 'dream,' rookie Rowland 'surprised' and Massa creates magic in Monaco

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Monaco Analysis: JEV lives out 'dream,' rookie Rowland 'surprised' and Massa creates magic in Monaco

Monaco Analysis: JEV lives out 'dream,' rookie Rowland 'surprised' and Massa creates magic in Monaco  

Jean-Eric Vergne storms to his second victory of the season, home race hero Felipe Massa steps up to his first podium finish in Formula E and rookie Rowland is left surprised after another epic street battle. After the madness on the streets of Monte Carlo subsides, we take a look back at the very best of the 2019 Monaco E-Prix.  

JEV ends the streak, the title hunt begins

"As a driver, it's always the place you dream to be," said DS Techeetah's Jean-Eric Vergne moments after clinching his second win of the season in the Monaco harbourfront. I've never had a podium here in Monaco...I remember all the legends that have been on this podium and all the hard times I had in Formula One, so to be here to today feels very special to me." 

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With two wins to his name, the Frenchman breaks the record streak of eight different winners in eight races, shooting to the top of the standings where he sits just one point ahead of his teammate Andre Lotterer (the voestalpine European races leader) in second. Despite the two wins and a total of 87 points, the DS Techeetah driver is far from complacent. 

"Nothing will be stable until the end of the year - it's the way this Championship is. It's going to be extremely tough until the end of the season. It's the best situation to be in but it's not a comfortable situation.

"I'm the best example of how much can change in this championship is. I arrived here sixth in the standing and I leave Monaco as the leader - nothing is guaranteed in Formula E." 

With only 33 points separating the top ten drivers and less than a second separating all 22 cars in Qualifying, it's all still to play for as the Championship rolls into Berlin on May 25. With the record spell of unpredictability broken, watch out as title hunt starts to step up towards the season finale in New York City.

 
 
 
 
 
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Wow, what a dramatic and close finish to the 2019 Monaco E-Prix as @jeanericvergne wins!⚡️⚡️⚡️ #ABBFormulaE #MonacoEPrix #motorsport #racing

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Massa makes the podium in emotional home race 

"I never had a doubt about what I could do," says Venturi's Felipe Massa, clearly emotional but relieved at securing his first Formula E podium finish in Venturi's home race here in Monaco. 

"The clean race we had is very important for us. I could have had a podium before this race but unfortunately something always happened." 

After an uneventful start to the season, Massa's win in Monaco follows on the success of his teammate Edoardo Mortara after he inherited the win in Hong Kong. Despite being one of the smallest teams in the championship, underdogs Venturi have shown promise this season as the squad aims to improve on its seventh place finish last season. 

"I remember passing by the grandstands during the race and hearing my kids shout for me - it was incredible. At the end of the podium, Gildo Pastor, our team boss, was crying and thanking me for doing this for us here in Monaco. After everything that he's been through, I think this kind of thing gives even more. It brings a great deal of happiness to all of us in the team."

 
 
 
 
 
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Hugs for everybody from @massafelipe19 after his first Formula E podium! #ABBFormulaE #racing #motorsport 🤗

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'Surprised' rookie Rowland is one to watch

"I'm still surprised," says Nissan e.dams Oliver Rowland after claiming his second podium in his short Formula E career. With two podiums and three pole positions to his name, Rowland sits ninth in the championship standings with 59 points - just 28 points adrift of championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne.

"If I'm honest, each time I arrive, I think I'd better keep it. It's quite a lot of pressure to to keep coming and performing. I've got a lot of respect for my teammate - he's taught me an awful lot. 

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"We push each other on - at the start of the season, I was no where near him but then I made a big step because I learnt from him. I'm sure he's going to take the things that I'm doing differently and take them into his locker room as well." 

In relation to his teammate Sebastien Buemi, who was the only Formula E driver to win in Monaco until today, Rowland is four places ahead of his seasoned Formula E mentor. If the British drivers form continues, there's a chance he could be in a favourable position for when the final comes around in New York City.