For some it is the age of Christ. For others, the age of happiness. And for him? Last week, Jean-Eric Vergne negotiated the 33-year-old turn. No time to celebrate… The former F1 driver was expected by the Peugeot Sport team at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Today, in another prestigious setting, that of the 6th Monaco E-Prix (start this Saturday at 3:04 p.m.), he is donning the DS Penske team’s light suit. A wink of fate, this young veteran of Formula E, the only power 2 champion, has a total of 33 podiums since 2014. A stat that might evolve in the Principality. Because ”JEV”, in ambush in the 3rd rank of the hierarchy, aims high, once more and once more.
Here you are at the heart of your 9th season and at the dawn of your 107th race in Formula E: what is the secret of this longevity, Jean-Eric?
It can be summed up in three words: motivation, work, results. If one of these three elements is missing, it’s impossible to go such a long way, I think.
Before the imminent Monegasque turn, halfway through, you are in 3rd place in the hierarchy with two podiums including one victory on the clock. Can we say that the roadmap has been respected so far?
Yeah, it’s a good start to the season. Probably my best in Formula E. Especially since we face very strong competition. There’s Porsche and Jaguar, but also Andretti, who uses the Porsche powertrain, and Envision, the Jaguar-powered team. That’s eight cars! DS Penske has done a good job since we are in the leading group. Now we have to keep working hard to stay in the game and get more wins.
This winter, following the first three races, you were relegated out of the top 10, 62 points behind leader Pascal Wehrlein. What to worry a little, a lot or not at all?
It is certain that no member of the team slept well on the evening of this hardly fruitful double stage in Saudi Arabia (7th then 16th on January 27 and 28 in Diriyah, editor’s note). A really hard time to live. We did not expect to encounter so many difficulties. So we all questioned ourselves.
Is Formula E Gen3 harder to tame than its Gen1 and Gen2 predecessors?
Yes, because there is more power, 100kW more. And because the tires are different (the South Korean manufacturer Hankook succeeds Michelin this season). We have to deal with less permissive rubber, with much less grip. Consequently, the car’s operating window is quite limited. You can quickly lock a wheel under braking, lose two or three tenths in a turn. It is more difficult to draw the quintessence from it. But everyone is housed in the same boat.
Between Gen2 and Gen3, is the leap forward as great as between Gen1 and Gen2?
On certain technological aspects, the progress is enormous, yes. And there are still a lot of details that we can still refine. I think the next generation of Formula E will be extraordinary, with the elements not having been improved as much as I had hoped.
Are you talking regarding the Gen4?
Yes, the manufacturers are already discussing this subject with the Formula E promoter and the FIA. I am not taking part in the discussions but I have heard that an evolution of the current single-seater should appear at the end of next season. A Gen3.5, maybe…
Today, which parameter would you like to optimize in priority to increase your level of performance?
Good question! This is precisely the question that we ask ourselves every day with the team. First, let’s try to better understand the car, the software, just to quickly find the right settings on such and such a track. But on second thought, I think there is no magic wand. The most important thing, it seems to me, is to maximize every chance we have in every race. Convert our potential into a positive result as much as possible. To be stronger as a team, what! There is nothing tougher in Formula E. No one is 100% successful…
After collaborating with the Chinese Techeetah, DS Automobiles is now working with the American structure Penske. For you, what does it change?
Technically, not much since I work with the same engineers, with the same people who produce the DS powertrain. Humanly, on the other hand, I appreciate working with a boss (Jay Penske) who is deeply involved, who pushes the team, demands accountability, results, constantly. Compared to the Chinese owner who just made an effortless presence, this is a positive change.
A word regarding the reigning champion and holder of the Monegasque trophy: Stoffel Vandoorne, what kind of teammate is he?
He’s a great guy. A dream teammate. In this environment, you know, you rarely become friends with your neighbor in the garage. For me, this was the case with André (Lotterer). Same thing today with Stoffel. So much the better!
The two races in Berlin produced a great spectacle. Fifteen days later, can we expect such a thrilling scenario on this route with a different profile?
I tell you as I think: this Saturday, in less than 50 minutes, the public will see more overtaking than in the entire history of the Monaco Grand Prix! Come on, I’m exaggerating a bit, but there will be a lot, believe me. Personally, frankly, I’m not too fond of this type of race where the leader is reluctant to lead the dance for a long time because you consume less energy behind, sheltered, in the suction. But it is clear that seen from the stands, there is spectacle, action. Fans won’t be bored. They won’t snooze.
How much do you estimate the time gain on a lap in Monaco?
Unfortunately, I’m afraid the Gen3 won’t go much faster than the Gen2 except in a straight line. Blame it on the lack of grip. If we used slick tyres, without grooves, we might save 7 or 8 seconds compared to last year. Easy.
Cash question to conclude: in 2023, if you had to choose between a third Formula E world championship title with a third generation of different car and a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Peugeot 9X8…
I take the title! Be careful, don’t deduce from this that I attach more importance to Formula E than to the 24 Hours. Given the length of my involvement in this championship, almost ten years, the answer is obvious. It would mark the history of the discipline. Afterwards, later, I will probably prefer a victory at Le Mans rather than a fourth FE title.
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