As Formula E gears up for one final outing of Season Four at the New York City E-Prix, DS Virgin Racing's Sam Bird is prepared for his championship challenge despite predicting a tough weekend in the Big Apple.
After 10 races across five continents, Formula E's 2017/18 season comes to a close in New York and in alignment with past seasons, will see the title fight decided in the final race weekend of the season, with both the Drivers' and Teams' Championships yet to be decided.
Currently, Techeetah Formula E hold the lead in the Teams' Championship and are closely followed by the resurgent Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler who are 33 points behind while Jean-Eric Vergne leads the Drivers' Standings, 23 points ahead of Bird.
With 58 points still available this weekend, Bird stands a mathematical chance of taking a maiden Formula E title and the British driver is prepared for the challenge that he faces:
“For sure, we’re ready for the challenge and will be giving it everything we’ve got," said the winner of the Hong Kong and Rome E-Prix.
"It’s going to be tough with the new layout and extended lap count but the whole team has been working flat out – as they have done all season – to prepare for this weekend.
"We never expected to be in this position at the start of the season, but we’re here and we’re going to do the very best job we can.”
For team-mate Alex Lynn, the Formula E rookie heads to New York with fond memories having claimed his maiden pole position at the circuit situated in the Red Hook neighbourhood of Brooklyn:
“It’s great to be returning to New York where I made my Formula E debut; it’s an amazing location for a race," he said.
"As a team, there’s a lot at stake so we’ve been working hard in the simulator and back at our Silverstone base to ensure we’re ready. I know I can deliver strong results myself to help benefit the team and, of course, support Sam.”
After dominating the Season Three New York City E-Prix which saw Bird claim the double, as a team, DS Virgin Racing accept that they face a difficult battle, given the ever-growing strength of their competition in the FIA's premier electric racing series:
“Since the last race, the preparation from everyone has been intense as we know what we’re playing for," said Sylvain Filippi who was recently appointed to the role of Managing Director of the British marque.
"Last year was the perfect weekend for the team, both on and off the track, but we know this year the challenge is even greater due to the strength of our competitors.
Nevertheless, I know every single team member will do the very best job they can,” he added.
