"Hate this kind of racing!" - Vergne & DS celebrate 2nd place, but struggle with peloton racing at Formula E in Berlin

Saturday's Formula E race in Berlin will live long in the memory as one of the most chaotic races of the season. For DS Penske, the Berlin opener had a mixed outcome. After both DS drivers were able to prove themselves in the duels in qualifying, Stoffel Vandoorne was suddenly at the back of the field and fought back. However, Jean-Eric Vergne celebrated second place. The predominant topic after the race, however, was the chaotic "peloton racing".

Starting from second and third place, the black and gold cars were soon leading the Berlin E-Prix one-two. However, the lead was of no value. The field of drivers piled up behind the energy-saving Vandoorne and chaos ensued. Having just led, the Belgian then found himself further and further back.

On the one hand, he had to save energy; on the other, he missed the attack mode at one point. And then he lost a few more positions at the same time the collision between Lucas di Grassi and Dan Ticktum happened. Within a few seconds, Vandoorne dropped from 11th to 19th place. In the end, he fought his way back up to seventh place - still a few points!

Jean Eric Vergne drives "best race" of the season

The Saturday race at the Berlin E-Prix went smoothly for Jean-Eric Vergne. With a tactically good performance and a lot of skill, he crossed the finish line in second place. Second place was not only the second podium of the season for the Frenchman, but also his seventh in Berlin - a Formula E record. "I'm very happy with the result. We drove a perfect race." When asked by e-Formula.news whether it was the best race of his season so far, he replied: "Yes... Yes, it definitely was!"

And it was chaotic. It was almost impossible to follow the race from the outside, and Vergne found the race an ordeal in the cockpit: "You have to look left, right, up and down - it's chaos. I hate these races and I think all drivers hate it," said Vergne. Vandoorne adds critically: "You just have to push the right people off the track at the right time and keep your nose clean."

The fact that the two are not alone in their opinion is also demonstrated by other drivers. Dan Ticktum told e-Formula.news: "Too much chaos and it doesn't look like racing. There's just a lot of luck involved and not enough talent." Formula E itself should be held accountable: "There is a fine balance between show and organic racing, and at the moment it's a bit much of the former."

DS Penske filled its points account with 24 points on Saturday in Berlin. A haul that brought them a little closer to Nissan. Only three points now separate the two teams, with 20 points separating them from the second-placed Porsche team. We will find out on race Sunday in Berlin whether the team can maintain its top form and whether the first win of the season even awaits Jean-Eric Vergne.