Jean-Eric Vergne has said that his main objective at this weekend's Bern E-Prix is to maximise his points intake in preparation for July's New York City Season 5 finale.
As the reigning Formula E champion, Vergne currently finds himself in a similar position in Season 5, leading the Drivers' Championship after scoring 102 points over 10 races.
Holding a six point advantage over Lucas di Grassi – a gap that was slashed at the Berlin E-Prix after the Brazilian stood on the top step of the podium while Vergne took third – the championship fight is close, with the top five grouped by only 21 points.
With 87 points still on offer in the final three races of Formula E's present 2018/19 campaign, everything is still to play for, and with 16 drivers still standing a mathematical chance of taking the title, Vergne expressed his desire to maximise his points intake in Bern to solidify his position going into New York:
"June is one of the busiest race months of the year with both Bern and Le Mans, so I’ve prepared myself thoroughly to be able to deliver an apex performance," said the Frenchman.
"It will be crucial to score as many points as possible in Bern to be able to enter the Season 5 finale in New York with the best circumstances so that’s my goal for this race.”
Team-mate Andre Lotterer shared Vergne's thoughts ahead of the Bern E-Prix, with the German, who failed to finish in Berlin, also looking to collect a large haul of points in order to establish a championship challenging foundation for New York:
"It was a real shame to have a bad race in Berlin, but that’s behind me now and I’m very keen for my first Formula E win before the end of the season," he said.
"However, the championship is the ultimate goal so that’s where the focus lies, we will collect all the points that can so that we come to New York with a solid foundation.
"It will be the first time that I experience a Formula E paddock with a split pitlane and garages so this will be interesting. The track looks like good fun and like it will suit me."
The Bern E-Prix will take place on June 22 at 18:04 local time.
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