"Strategy was perfect today" - Günther & Vergne explain historic Formula E 1-2 result in Shanghai

The Formula E race on Saturday in Shanghai could hardly have ended more dramatic. The field of drivers was constantly shifting, as once again nobody wanted to lead the first few laps. But Maximilian Günther kept the upper hand thanks to a great strategy and unrivalled pace, even though he had to relinquish the lead several times. The surprising overtake by Jean-Eric Vergne in the final corners gave DS Penske its first ever one-two victory in Formula E!

The weekend did not start well for DS Penske. In the first free practice session, they were at the back of the field. Günther had to get out of the car early and there were three investigations by the stewards against the team. The tide turned in qualifying. Vergne narrowly missed out on the duels, but Günther was the fastest man and broke one track record after another. In the final duel, he beat qualifying ace Taylor Barnard to take his fourth pole position.

Günther had the race in his hands

The drivers had to conserve their energy in the starting phase. The Shanghai International Circuit is a demanding track in terms of fuel consumption, so once again nobody wanted to lead. Günther rotated in the front positions and also took the lead on several occasions. Nevertheless, the DS Penske driver managed to economise on his energy better than his rivals.

This energy advantage became decisive a few laps before the end of the race. Günther got the better of Rowland, who had been leading until then, and then shot past in Attack Mode on the start-finish straight. He was then on the move and was able to pull out a safe gap. Thanks to his energy advantage and good Attack Mode strategy, it was impossible for the other drivers to catch up with the German.

Günther's joy was immense after winning a Formula E race for the seventh time: "I couldn't be happier. Our strategy was perfect today, we had even more energy than our rivals at the end and I was always able to attack! Günther is now hoping for a turning point in the team: "It means a lot, especially because the last few weeks have been difficult. The momentum was finally on our side and we were able to give something back to the team!"

Vergne makes it a perfect result

Vergne drove a few places behind his team-mate throughout the race. It was only in the closing stages, when Rowland's pace dropped and he held off the drivers behind him, that the Frenchman was able to close the gap. He then managed to overtake Rowland on the final lap, but that was not enough for him. He braked into the final chicane much later than Taylor Barnard and Dan Ticktum, who were battling with each other, and thus secured a podium place.

"I think we made the right decision to go into Attack Mode late," explains Vergne. "Everyone was attacking hard, so I saved a bit of energy for the end of the race and it paid off. What a race, a rollercoaster."

Since the merger of DS and Penske, the team had never managed to take the first two places in a race. The race result in Shanghai therefore represents a historic milestone for the US team. DS Penske made a big leap in the teams' standings, leaving both McLaren and Mahindra behind. With third place in the teams' standings, they will go into the second race on Sunday in a stronger position!