Reigning Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne has described last weekend’s Marrakesh E-Prix as the most challenging race of his Formula E career.
Vergne joined the fully-electric championship in its inaugural and has only missed two races, making him one of the most experienced drivers on the present grid.
In the run-up to the fifth race of the 2019/20 campaign, the Frenchman was rendered ill after contracting a virus and as such, missed shakedown and FP1.
With James Rossiter subbing in as reserve driver in FP1, Vergne returned to the cockpit after previously being quarantined in a hospital in Marrakesh the day before.
Despite continuing symptoms, running a high fever, Vergne qualified in 11th and battled his way through the pack to finish on the podium, engaging in a thrilling duel with Maximilian Gunther during the closing laps of the E-Prix.
“It was the hardest race of my entire career here at Formula E,” said Vergne, reflecting on his first podium of the series’ present campaign.
“Despite not being able to take part in practice [on Friday], I had been watching everyone from hospital. I was still not feeling well [on race day], but the team did an excellent job.
“During the race I just put my head down and gave it my all. When my engineer told me midway through the race that I was in fourth, I could not believe it.
I had a good fight with Max [Gunther] near the end… but I was sure he was going to overtake me eventually.
“I tried to defend second place as much as I could, however I did not have the energy left in the car. I am pleased to be back on the podium.”
