“At the moment I prefer Formula E and DS racing to WEC and Peugeot”

At the Formula E Misano E-Prix event we had the opportunity to interview Jean Eric Vergne, a DS-Penske driver who also races in the WEC with Peugeot. We asked him about his feelings on the Italian weekend, also talking about his season so far and how, in the balance between Formula E in Berlin and the WEC in Spa, he currently favors Formula E racing.

Off the Road: Hi JEV, first of all welcome to Misano. What are your impressions of the track from what you tried on the simulator?

Jean-Eric Vergne: I have known Misano for a long time although it has never cost me anything, I used to come here to test when I raced with Toro Rosso to do shakedowns, at that time it was snowing too because of that. I came in the winter (laughs, ed.). In any case, it’s a very different circuit now, because we don’t do the first sector and we have a new chicane in the middle of the backstraight (in Curvone, ed.): in any case, it’s a very wide track. , we are coming from the normal circuits of Formula E, and therefore I think we will see a very interesting race from the point of view of energy management, because the effect of the drift current will be important in the long way. A bit like Portland or Berlin last year.

Off Track: Last year the DS was a strong third behind Jaguar and Porsche. Who do you currently consider your main opponent in this stage of the championship? And do you think Nissan is ahead of you now?

JEV: Nissan has had good results, I think it’s fair to say they are ahead of us. So far they have got three platforms, we only have one, that’s why we are working hard to reach them.

FT: And what about your main rival?

JEV: We have no main rival, we are seventh in the championship (drivers, ed.), for us everyone is a rival. I believe that in Formula E your main opponent is yourself, doing a good job without making mistakes can make a big difference at the end of the day. It is up to us to have a good weekend without mistakes and do everything perfectly to be able to have a good race.

FT: You have reached Buemi’s great record, and you are also very close to winning. Is statistics something that you think about and that affects you?

JEV: No, it’s just a number.

FT: At the beginning of the season, you and Stoffel said you would prioritize Formula E between the Berlin E-Prix and the WEC 6 Hours of Spa. Do you think the two leagues should have handled this better?

JEV: I think it’s a question to ask the organizers of WEC and Formula E. It’s a shame, both series know that there are several drivers involved in both aspects; but there is no communication, and I think it is absurd considering that both are FIA ​​world championships. Finally, it is the job of the FIA ​​to make efforts to ensure that the drivers are successful in both championships.

FT: Since you made your decision at the beginning of the season, would you change your mind now or not?

JEV: To change my mind I would need a bigger chance for Peugeot to win the race, which unfortunately is not the case at the moment. This makes my decision very easy to make. Peugeot we need to improve because it is not going well so far, obviously. I want to race in a team where I can win or fight for victory, and racing with DS-Penske gives me a good chance to win or finish on the podium. In Peugeot it is more difficult at the moment.

FT: Thanks Jev, and have a great weekend.

JEV: Thank you.