SAM BIRD REDUCES TITLE DEFICIT WITH PODIUM IN ZURICH

DS Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird reduced the title deficit to rival Jean-Eric Vergne by almost half, with a second-place finish during today’s frantic Formula E Zurich E-Prix.

The result sees the British racer close the gap to 23-points, with just the final two rounds in New York left to play out – an event Bird took a clean sweep in last year. It also sees his DS Virgin Racing team remain in contention for both titles.

After a strong qualifying performance earlier in the day, Bird lined-up third and battled hard throughout the early stages of the race to remain amongst the front runners, with his title rival back down in the midfield. Then, just before the halfway mark, a Full Course Yellow period – following an incident with Vergne and Felix Rosenqvist – led to a flurry of drivers head to the pits to change cars.

Bird emerged fifth and keen to push on with Vergne down in ninth. Then, Vergne and four other drivers were penalised for speeding during the FCY and each handed drive-through penalties. That allowed Bird to move into second place, just behind race-leader Lucas di Grassi, and go on to cross the line to secure his 15th Formula E career podium.

Bird said: “We had a little bit of luck today but even so the whole team did a fantastic job to get the result and leave in this position where we’ll be fighting for the title in New York…and we know what happened there last year! Now I know what we need to do; I need to beat him [Vergne] in the first race, and if I can do that then we have a shot at the title.”

Meanwhile team-mate Alex Lynn, endured a frustrating afternoon despite showing front-running pace. A suspected battery sensory issue in his first car saw him forced to pit early after running P12. That meant he had to run a 23-lap stint in his second car, and with energy management to consider, was only able to finish 16th.

DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: “It's been a very positive weekend for us with a podium for Sam and 17-points taken from Jean-Eric Vergne in the drivers' championship. The last two races will be in New York where we won both races last year. It is clear that the whole team will make the trip with great expectation.”

The next and final two Formula E races of the season take place in New York City on July 14/15. For more information visit www.ds-virginracing.com.

2018 FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP

ZÜRICH E-PRIX (RD 10) – RACE RESULTS (39 LAPS):

1. LUCAS DI GRASSI, AUDI SPORT ABT SCHAEFFLER, 39 LAPS (25PTS)

2. SAM BIRD, DS VIRGIN RACING, +7.542S (18PTS)

3. JEROME D’AMBROSIO, DRAGON, +16.822S (15PTS)

4. ANDRE LOTTERER, TECHEETAH, +20.295S (12PTS, FL)

5. SEBASTIEN BUEMI, RENAULT E.DAMS, +26.692S (10PTS)

6. NICK HEIDFELD, MAHINDRA RACING, +28.059S (8PTS)

7. MITCH EVANS, PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING, +30.631S (6PTS, P)

8. ANTONIO FELIX DA COSTA, ANDRETTI FORMULA E, +31.301S (4PTS)

9. OLIVER TURVEY, NIO FORMULA E, +32.180S (2PTS)

10. JEAN ERIC VERGNE, TECHEETAH, +32.833S (1PT)

16. ALEX LYNN, DS VIRGIN RACING, +51.842S

DRIVERS’ STANDINGS:

1. JEAN-ERIC VERGNE, 163PTS

2. SAM BIRD, 140PTS

3. LUCAS DI GRASSI,101PTS

4. SEBASTIEN BUEMI, 92PTS

5. FELIX ROSENQVIST, 86PTS

TEAMS’ STANDINGS:

1. TECHEETAH, 219PTS

2. AUDI SPORT ABT SCHAEFFLER, 186PTS

3. DS VIRGIN RACING, 157PTS

4. MAHINDRA RACING, 116PTS

5. PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING, 105PTS

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.