Newly crowned 2015/2016 Formula E champion Sebastien Buemi says he is “sad” the title was decided by the fastest lap during the second London ePrix race.
The Swiss driver went into the season finale level on points with rival Lucas di Grassi but they collided on the opening lap at Turn 3.
Di Grassi ran into the back of Buemi, with both drivers managing to get back to the pitlane and change to their second cars. With two points for fastest lap, Buemi set the quickest time and has clinched the championship.
“The most important thing in the end is that we won both championships,” Buemi said. “I am just coming back from race direction. I had a look at the video and I am actually really sad.
“Firstly, to win it that way and second of all to see what Lucas did. I was very respectful of his driving because he has been amazing.
“When he braked, he had two options – either go to the right and nail the back of my car. He nailed it perfectly, but a little bit too strong because we both went out.
“So, I am a bit sad to see this because I think that was his only opportunity. We had the quickest car, were the best team, if we would have come out of this corner in front of him we would have been far quicker.”
Buemi also said he now has “zero respect” for di Grassi, who claimed the e.Dams driver braked 50 metres earlier than normal.
He also felt the Abt racer had held him up in his attempts to get the fastest lap: “He went out and did the fastest lap, and he was waiting for me each time I was trying to do the fastest lap.
“I could not even do the fastest lap. I used 60% of my battery before I in the end managed to do a lap. I could not believe that to be honest.”