Jean-Éric Vergne delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the Berlin E-Prix weekend by charging from eighteenth on the Formula E grid to a hard-earned third-place finish in Race 2. The DS Penske driver secured his second podium of the 2024–25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season and continued his strong form at Berlin’s Tempelhof circuit, even though a victory still eluded him.
“Good to end the weekend on a high,” said Vergne after the race. “We had quite a bit of bad luck yesterday. I was running P3 when something broke on the front axle and I had to retire the car. This morning, qualifying did not go well with the red flag, so yeah, it is nice to have a bit of a break and finish on the podium.”
A weekend of setbacks and recovery
Vergne faced significant adversity over the 2025 Berlin E-Prix weekend. In Race 1 on Saturday, he had positioned himself in third place when a mechanical failure on the front axle forced him to retire early. Consequently, the team lost valuable points and momentum.
Then, Sunday morning’s Qualifying session presented yet another challenge. A red flag disrupted his run, relegating him to eighteenth on the starting grid. Despite this setback, Vergne maintained focus and confidence in his race strategy.
Mastering the race amidst chaos
Unfortunately, Sunday’s Race 2 in Berlin would not be an easy one for Vergne. Throughout the race, multiple incidents and strategic gambles unfolded. Safety Cars disrupted rhythm, and the lead changed hands frequently. Nevertheless, Vergne remained composed. His calm approach and expert reading of the race allowed him to capitalise on others’ errors.
By the final laps, Vergne had surged into the top five. His pace remained consistent, and he completed his climb to third place with determination and clarity. Meanwhile, Nick Cassidy surged to victory for Jaguar, and Jake Dennis claimed second with a smooth and disciplined drive.
Berlin a success but improvement needed as a win remains out of reach
Vergne continued to demonstrate outstanding form at the Berlin E-Prix, having now appeared on the podium at the event for four consecutive seasons. Although this consistency speaks volumes about his adaptability and control, the former champion did not shy away from expressing his ambition for more.
“I mean I have been on the podium, but I did not win,” he said. “So I guess I still need to improve.”
Saluting a new champion
Vergne’s strong result elevated him to sixth place in the championship standings. However, despite his success, the spotlight remained on Nissan’s Oliver Rowland, who secured his maiden Formula E title after finishing fourth. However, when asked to share advice as a former champion, Vergne chose instead to offer genuine praise and respect.
“I do not think I have any advice. I mean, he has done a fantastic season. He was clearly the best by far this year. He has been impressive all along. He should celebrate like the world champion that he is. Congratulations to you, man. It was a very strong season. So yeah, he is a world champion now. I do not have anything to say — just well done.”
