CLIMATE CHANGE

Virgin Racing LOOKING TO REPEAT MALAYSIA MAGIC

Alongside team-mate Jean-Éric Vergne, who will be making his debut at the circuit, Bird will hope to emulate the dominant performance that gave him his maiden Formula E race victory last year.

 

The Putrajaya Street Circuit is one of the most iconic on the Formula E calendar, running along the Putrajaya Boulevard, which sits against the stunning backdrop of the Perdana Putra, housing the office complex of the Malaysian Prime Minister.

 

The 28-year old Brit finished seventh in the opening race in Beijing two weeks ago, picking up six points, as French team-mate Jean-Éric Vergne crossed the line in 12th place, outside the points. Speaking after the race in the Chinese capital, Bird said: “There’s definitely plenty for us to work on as a team, but I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be racing next than Putrajaya in Malaysia. Alongside my win in London, this was without question the highlight of last season.”

 

Bird also topped the FanBoost leaderboard two weeks ago in China and he is hoping his team will be able to claim extra energy more often this season through the unique online voting system: “I was delighted to win the FanBoost vote in Beijing. It certainly came as a bit of a surprise! We only managed to pick up FanBoost once last year, so hopefully JEV and I can be in the mix a bit more this season.”

 

Ahead of his race debut in Putrajaya, Jean-Éric Vergne, said: “We were encouraged by the pace that we showed at times in Beijing, particularly in qualifying when we were P2, so there’s positives that we will take into the race in Malaysia. Hopefully I can help the team repeat the success of our performances here last year.”

 

Virgin Racing Team Principal, Alex Tai, said: “We know that we didn’t perform to our ability in Beijing so now we need to make sure that we learn from China and deliver in Malaysia. Our performances here last year will give us plenty of encouragement so come Saturday evening, I hope we will be reflecting on a job well done.”

 

Fans can submit a Fanboost vote via the official app or website atwww.fiaformulae.com/fanboost or via Twitter and Instagram by posting the #Fanboost hashtag alongside either #SamBird or #JeanEricVergne.

 

 

FIA Formula E Championship 2015-16 – Round Two, Putrajaya, Malaysia – Key Race Timings

 

Friday 6 November 2015

 

Shakedown 3.00pm
Qualifying Group Lottery (e-village) 4.45pm

 

Saturday 7 November

 

Non-qualifying practice 7.45am
Qualifying Group 1 10.00am
Qualifying Group 2Qualifying Group 3 10.10am10.20am
Qualifying Group 4 10.30am
Super Pole 10.45am
Race 2.04pm

 

Leaderboard

For more information on the Virgin Racing Formula E Team, please visit the website:

https://www.ds-virginracing.com

 

– ENDS –

 

For further information please contact:

Chris Soult

Pitch PR

E: chris.soult@pitch.co.uk      T: (0) 7745 377 405

 

About Virgin group:

Virgin is a leading international investment group and one of the world’s most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony, travel, financial services, leisure, music, holidays and health & wellness. Virgin employs more than 60,000 people, operating in over 50 countries and had global branded revenues of £15bn ($24bn) in 2013.

 

About the DS brand

DS is a Paris-based automotive brand officially launched on 1 June 2014 with the stated ambition of driving an upmarket comeback in the French automotive industry. Inspired by the best in French automotive know-how, DS perpetuates the values of innovation and distinction inherited from the legendary 1955 DS. The DS range is designed for customers seeking personal expression. It currently comprises DS 3, DS 3 CABRIO, New DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK, New DS 5, DS 5LS and DS 6. DS cars stand out for their remarkable style, refinement down to the tiniest detail, quality materials, and advanced technologies such as the hybrid diesel drivechain, Hybrid 4×4, available on New DS 5. In Europe, they are sold through DS Stores or at special showrooms across the CITROËN dealer network. In China, DS runs a dedicated network of dealer outlets. DS customers enjoy a brand experience that extends beyond the cars themselves to cover exclusive premium services, as through the DS PRIVILEGE club. Sales top 580,000 since the brand came into existence.

 

www.driveDS.com

Keep up with DS on @DS_Official.

 

About FIA Formula E Championship:

Formula E is a ground-breaking FIA championship and the world’s first fully-electric racing series. It represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a framework for research and development around the electric vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars and promoting sustainability. The first season began in Beijing in September 2014 and completed in London in June 2015, racing in 10 major cities (11 races) around the world. The championship sees 10 teams, each with two drivers, going head-to-head to create a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans. Season two got underway in October in Beijing where the series became an ‘open championship’ allowing approved manufacturers to develop new powertrain solutions. Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on improving battery technology.

 

FIA & Michelin: Today’s partners for tomorrow’s mobility:

As well as being the official Formula E tyre supplier, Michelin is an official partner, at the international level, of the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. The programme is designed to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety initiated by the UN, the aim of which is to save five million lives over the next 10 years. This programme is set up to educate and advocate for safer roads, vehicles and behaviours around the globe.