SAM BIRD & DS VIRGIN RACING 'READY FOR CHALLENGE' OF FORMULA E TITLE-DECIDER

British racing driver Sam Bird and his DS Virgin Racing team say they are ‘ready for the challenge’ as they head to New York City this weekend, fighting for both the teams’ and the drivers’ championship in Formula E’s season finale title-decider.

The final two rounds of the all-electric series take place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where Bird and season-long title rival Jean-Eric Vergne remain the only drivers left in contention. With two races to play out, a total of 58 points are up for grabs with Bird 23 points adrift of Vergne.

Bird, who has two wins and three podiums under his belt so far this season, will also be returning to the site where he secured a famous ‘clean sweep’ winning both races, securing one pole and amassing 53-points.

At the same time, his DS Virgin Racing team will be vying for the teams’ championship where they currently lie third and are counting on every point from Bird and fellow British team-mate Alex Lynn, who made his Formula E debut at the 2017 New York event, securing pole on his first attempt and becoming only the second driver in the series to have ever done so.

This year’s race takes place on a slightly modified circuit layout and increased race distance, making Saturday’s race the longest ever this season.

Speaking ahead of the weekend Bird said: “For sure, we’re ready for the challenge and will be giving it everything we’ve got. It’s going to be tough with the new layout and extended lap count but the whole team has been working flat out – as they have done all season – to prepare for this weekend. We never expected to be in this position at the start of the season, but we’re here and we’re going to do the very best job we can.”

Lynn said: “It’s great to be returning to New York where I made my Formula E debut; it’s an amazing location for a race. As a team, there’s a lot at stake so we’ve been working hard in the simulator and back at our Silverstone base to ensure we’re ready. I know I can deliver strong results myself to help benefit the team and, of course, support Sam.”

Sylvain Filippi, DS Virgin Racing’s Managing Director, commented: “Since the last race, the preparation from everyone has been intense as we know what we’re playing for. Last year was the perfect weekend for the team, both on and off the track, but we know this year the challenge is even greater due to the strength of our competitors. Nevertheless, I know every single team member will do the very best job they can.”

DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: “The two last races of the season will be amazing, with this high intensity duel at the top between Sam and his former team-mate. With just 23 points difference, nothing is certain. We are more motivated than ever to give our best and try and repeat the feat of last year.”

For more information on the team, including high-res images and video content, visit its media site here: http://map.ds-virginracing.com/

2018 FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP

DRIVERS’ STANDINGS: TEAMS’ STANDINGS:

1. JEAN-ERIC VERGNE, 163PTS 1. TECHEETAH, 219PTS

2. SAM BIRD, 140PTS 2. AUDI SPORT ABT SCHAEFFLER, 186PTS

3. LUCAS DI GRASSI,101PTS 3. DS VIRGIN RACING, 157PTS

4. SEBASTIEN BUEMI, 92PTS 4. MAHINDRA RACING, 116PTS

5. FELIX ROSENQVIST, 86PTS 5. PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING, 105PTS

NEW YORK E-PRIX – PROGRAMME ROUND 11 & 12: SATURDAY 14 & SUNDAY 15 JULY (GMT +4)

SATURDAY, JULY 14 SUNDAY, JULY 15

07:30-08:15 FREE PRACTICE 1

10:00-10:30 FREE PRACTICE 2 08:30-09:15 FREE PRACTICE 3

11:30-12:30 QUALIFYING 11:00-12:00 QUALIFYING

15:30 RACE (45 LAPS) 15:00 RACE (43 LAPS)

LENGTH 2.373 KM

TURNS 14

DIRECTION CLOCKWISE

HASHTAG #NYCEPRIX

CONTACT INFORMATION

ADRIEN DA CUNHA BELVÈS – DS Performance

+33 685 262791 / adrien.dacunhabelves@DSautomobiles.com

TOM PHILLIPS – DS Virgin Racing, PR & Communications Manager

+ 44 (0) 7496 972965 – tom.phillips@ds-virginracing.com

DS AUTOMOBILES - UK COMMUNICATIONS

KEVIN JONES – Head of Communications

+44 (0)2476 884215 / +44 (0)7880 786596 / kevin.jones@DSautomobiles.com

UK PRESS WEBSITE: http://uk-media.dsautomobiles.com

For more information about DS Automobiles, please visit www.DSautomobiles.co.uk

FOLLOW DS ON TWITTER AT: www.twitter.com/ds_uk_official

FIND DS ON FACEBOOK AT: www.facebook.com/dsukofficial

FOLLOW DS ON INSTAGRAM AT: www.instagram.com/ds_uk

ABOUT DS VIRGIN RACING

The DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team is one of the founding and leading outfits in the FIA Formula E Championship - the world's first fully-electric single-seater racing series.

The team works in partnership with French luxury car manufacturer DS Automobiles, collaborating together in order to power innovation.

The team's commercial headquarters are based in London, whilst it's operational arm is centred at new state-of-the-art facilities at Silverstone, both overlapping with DS Automobiles' facilities in Satory, France - part of the PSA Group's Centre of Excellence.

Now entering its fourth season, the team remains one of the most successful on the grid. From its debut season in 2014/2015, the squad has secured an impressive 467 points, five wins, 13 podiums, six poles, five fastest laps and nine FanBoosts from its 33 race starts. It is also one of only three teams to have recorded victories in every Formula E season to date.

Meanwhile, Virgin Group is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors including mobile telephony, travel & transportation, financial services, leisure & entertainment and health & wellness.

For further information visit www.ds-virginracing.com

ABOUT DS AUTOMOBILES

A French brand born in Paris, DS was founded on 1 June 2014. Its ambition is to embody the French know-how of luxury in its cars. Driven by its outstanding heritage and avant-garde spirit, DS perpetuates the values of innovation and distinction inherited from the first DS, launched in 1955.

Designed for customers looking for a means to express themselves as individuals, the DS Collection comprises DS 3, DS 3 CABRIO, DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK, DS 4S*, DS 5, DS 5LS*, DS 6* (Chinese market only) and completed with DS 7 CROSSBACK. The models in the DS range stand apart through their avant-garde design, refinement and attention to detail, advanced technology and dynamic serenity.

DS 7 CROSSBACK, the SUV featuring Parisian-style innovation and savoir-faire, ushers in the second generation of DS models. Committed to high-performance hybrid and electric cars, the Brand will launch the DS 7 CROSSBACK E-TENSE 4x4, the hybrid powertrain by DS, in 2019.

DS models are available from DS Stores and DS Salons. DS also has flagship stores, DS WORLD PARIS, 33 rue François 1er in Paris, France and DS Urban Store, at Westfield London. DS represents a brand experience that goes beyond the products to include ONLY YOU, a collection of exclusive services showcased at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

Follow all DS news on www.DSautomobiles.com @DS_Official

ABOUT THE FIA ABB FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP

The FIA ABB Formula E Championship is the world's first fully-electric single-seater racing series, competing on the streets in the backdrop of some of the most iconic cities - including Hong Kong, Marrakesh, Santiago, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Rome, Paris, Berlin, Zurich and New York. The championship represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a platform to showcase the latest innovations in electric vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions. Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on the development of motor and battery components, which in turn will filter down to everyday contemporary electric road vehicles.

ABOUT TOTAL

Total is a global integrated energy producer and provider, a leading international oil and gas company, and a major player in solar energy with SunPower and Total Solar. Our 98,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible. As a responsible corporate citizen, we focus on ensuring that our operations in more than 130 countries worldwide consistently deliver economic, social and environmental benefits.

ABOUT FIA & MICHELIN – TODAY’s Partners for tomorrow’s Mobility

As well as being the official Formula E tyre supplier, Michelin is an official partner, at the international level, of the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. The programme is designed to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety initiated by the UN, the aim of which is to save five million lives over the next 10 years. This programme is set up to educate and advocate for safer roads, vehicles and behaviours around the globe.