SAM BIRD VICTORIOUS IN HISTORIC ROME E-PRIX

DS Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird took a historic victory during today’s inaugural Formula E race in Rome to pick up his 7th win in the series to date and move him, and his team, into second place in the championship standings.

The British driver, who has competed for the team in every one of its 40 Formula E races, resisted a late charge by Lucas di Grassi in the closing stages to clinch victory after poleman Felix Rosenqvist, who had controlled the race from the outset, retired after breaking his rear-left suspension.

In front of a 30,000-strong crowd, Bird had looked quick all day around the specially built Circuto Cittadino dell’EUR street track finishing P2 in both the opening practices, as well as the tightly fought qualifying sessions.

“I honestly didn’t think I would be sitting here today when I saw the pace of Felix [Rosenqvist],” said the 31-year-old, who earlier in the week had been blessed by the Pope at a special event organised by Formula E. “I was able to catch him towards the end of the first stint but there were some quick cars behind me. It was a shame what happened to Felix in the second stint, but it gave me the lead so was a case of just getting my head down and not making any mistakes. The team has done a great job today and we’re all looking forward to the Paris race in two weeks’ time.”

Meanwhile, it was a frustrating weekend for Sam’s team-mate and fellow Brit Alex Lynn who, despite showing strong pace, got caught up in race incidents, forcing him to retire for only the second time this season. “It’s certainly been a frustrating weekend on my side of the garage, but I’m obviously delighted for Sam and for the team. The pace was there but it just didn’t quite come together today. For sure we’ll go away and come back fighting again for the next European race in Paris.”

DS Virgin Racing Team Principal Alex Tai commented: “I’m delighted for Sam and for the team. The Rome event has been fantastic so huge credit to Formula E. Sam does have a habit of winning on new tracks – like his double victory at the inaugural New York race last year – or maybe it was the blessing from the Pope! Either way, we’re delighted and grateful to the whole team for their continuous hard work. Of course, it’s been a frustrating one for Alex but he’s a great driver and I know he’ll bounce back.”

DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: “What a pleasure to start our European tour with such a great victory in Rome, in front of thousands of fans! This is a good omen before our home race in Paris and we can now celebrate this trophy in style!”

The next Formula E race – round 8 – takes place in Paris on April 28. For more information on the team, including high-res images and video content, visit: http://map.ds-virginracing.com/

2018 FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP

ROME E-PRIX (RD 7) – RACE RESULTS (33 LAPS):

1. SAM BIRD, DS VIRGIN RACING (25PTS)

2. LUCAS DI GRASSI, AUDI SPORT ABT SCHAEFFLER (18PTS)

3. ANDRE LOTTERER, TECHEETAH, (15PTS)

4. DANIEL ABT, AUDI SPORT ABT SCHAEFFLER (12PTS, FL)

5. JEAN ERIC VERGNE, TECHEETAH (10PTS)

6. SEBASTIEN BUEMI, RENAULT E.DAMS (8PTS)

7. JEROME D’AMBROSIO, DRAGON (6PTS)

8. MARO ENGEL, VENTURI FORMULA E (4PTS)

9. MITCH EVANS, PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING (2PTS)

10. EDUARO MORTARA, VENTURI FORMULA E (1PT)

DNF. ALEX LYNN, DS VIRGIN RACING

DRIVERS’ STANDINGS (AFTER RD 7): TEAMS’ STANDINGS (AFTER RD 7):

1. JEAN ERIC VERGNE 119PTS 1. TECHEETAH 152PTS

2. SAM BIRD 101PTS 2. DS VIRGIN RACING 118PTS

3. FELIX ROSENQVIST 82PTS 3. MAHINDRA RACING 103PTS

4. SEBASTIEN BUEMI 60PTS 4. AUDI SPORT ABT SCHAEFFLER 89PTS

5. DANIEL ABT 50PTS 5. PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING 88PTS

13. ALEX LYNN 17PTS

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.

Headed up by Team Principal Alex Tai and with the continued support of Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, 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.