---
title: "Jean-Eric Vergne Emerges Victorious in Formula E Punta Del Este ePrix"
description: "Vergne survived enormous pressure from di Grassi, who despite his many attacks couldn't pass the Frenchman."
date: "2018-03-18"
modified: "2018-03-18"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19362/jean-eric-vergne-emerges-victorious-in-formula-e-punta-del-este-eprix"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "FIA"
  - "Lucas Di Grassi"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
  - "uruguay"
---

# Jean-Eric Vergne Emerges Victorious in Formula E Punta Del Este ePrix

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/03/2-sb1_3364.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Jean-Eric Vergne managed to claim the top step of the podium during the nail-biting [FIA Formula E](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19030/second-generation-formula-e-race-car-steals-the-spotlight-in-geneva>) Punta Del Este E-Prix on the shores of Uruguay. Vergne's highly applauded victory marks his second one of the season and third of his two-year-old career in Formula E.

Saturday's win catapulted Vergne's lead at the top of the FIA Formula E Championship standings, which is now a whopping 30 points over his nearest rival Felix Rosenqvist. The former Formula 1 driver began his race in pole position, which he inherited after [Lucas di Grassi](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/13053/lucas-di-grassi-wins-formula-e-championship-in-third-season>) was reprimanded for cutting a chicane during qualifying, and sustained the lead of the race until the chequered flag dropped at the end of lap 37.

![message-editor%2F1521391683575-2-\_als0568.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521391683575-2-_als0568.jpg>)
*Formula E*

![message-editor%2F1521391697650-3-\_w6i2330.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521391697650-3-_w6i2330.jpg>)
*Formula E*

As everyone's grown to expect from the feisty Brazilian, di Grassi didn't make things easy for Vergne, especially given the qualifying fiasco. The Audi Sport driver tried several moves on the Frenchman, oftentimes risking putting himself out of contention, but Vergne made sure to stretch the width of his electric racer in order to defend his position.

Much to the [fans' enjoyment](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18889/formula-e-will-begin-live-streaming-races-on-twitter>), both drivers pitted on the same lap, but a well-coordinated effort from both teams and drivers resulted in both competitors emerging from the mandatory mid-race car swap in the same exact order as they came in. Di Grassi tried to work his magic one last time on the turn 17/18 chicane, but Vergne defended well and closed the door on him.

![message-editor%2F1521391740197-1-\_w6i2034.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521391740197-1-_w6i2034.jpg>)
*Formula E*

![message-editor%2F1521391750438-1-\_w6i2313.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521391750438-1-_w6i2313.jpg>)
*Formula E*

“I’m obviously very happy. I’m not focusing on the championship, but I’m focusing on each race. Obviously winning the race today in those conditions is to me one of the best drives. Racing against Lucas, who is the current title holder, was really tough. I don’t think I’ve won that many races but it was one of the ones I’m most happy with in terms of my driving. Today winning races proves that hard work pays off. We’re the only private team and for us to beat the other guys, we have to work twice as hard as them,” said Jean-Eric Vergne.

[Formula E](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/16659/f1-champ-nico-rosberg-considering-move-to-formula-e>) will be back on April 14, when the electric racing circus sets up shop at the first-ever Rome E-Prix.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)