DS Penske’s Impressive Performance in Misano Formula E Weekend
As the Formula E 2023 season continues to heat up, DS Penske has once again showcased its prowess on new circuits. The Franco-American team’s strong performance in Misano, Italy, demonstrated its ability to adapt and thrive in unfamiliar territory. Despite encountering some setbacks, the team’s pace and consistency throughout the weekend left a lasting impression.
During practice, Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne dominated the field, with Vergne going on to excel in qualifying, ultimately finishing second in the session. The Frenchman’s remarkable performance was matched by Vandoorne, who recovered impressively from 18th on the grid to finish eighth in the first race. Vergne’s third-place finish, despite being hindered by a damaged car and a five-second penalty, demonstrated the DS E-TENSE FE23’s exceptional capabilities.
On Sunday, the team’s fortunes continued to rise, with both Vergne and Vandoorne advancing to the quarter-finals. Vergne secured second place on the grid, while Vandoorne qualified sixth. As the energy strategy shifted due to the shorter 26-lap race, the team’s tactics remained focused on staying at the front and exploiting opportunities to attack.
The second race was marked by intense overtaking and frequent position changes, with Robin Frijns’ (Envision Racing) run-off prompting a safety car intervention. As the final laps approached, Vergne adopted a “waiting” strategy, eventually finishing seventh and securing crucial points for the team. Vandoorne, unfortunately, lost ground due to contact.
“JEV was always fast and among the front runners from free practice through to qualifying, consistently on both days. Stoffel was also fast, more unlucky in qualifying on Saturday and better placed on the grid on Sunday, which is a source of additional satisfaction.” – Eugenio Franzetti, Director of DS Performance
While the team was frustrated by Vergne’s penalty on Saturday and his seventh-place finish on Sunday, Franzetti acknowledged the points gained and the promising signs for the upcoming Monaco round on April 27. “We’re delighted with the points we’ve picked up, and what we’ve shown here in Misano is reassuring for what’s to come, especially Monaco, which is a bit of a home race for us, where we’ve got a little surprise in store for our fans.”
As the Formula E schedule unfolds, DS Penske is poised to make a strong impact in the season’s remaining races.
🔗 Source