e.dams-Renault proud of the teams’ title but disappointed for Sébastien Buemi

After the immense joy generated by the teams’ title clinched yesterday evening, a wave of disappointment invaded the e.dams-Renault clan today, Sunday. Sébastien Buemi saw the chequered flag in fifth place and lost the drivers’ title by a mere point in a race that was a real cliff-hanger! Congratulations to Nelson Piquet, the first Formula E champion in history. Nonetheless, the e.dams-Renault team can be proud of its season and look to the next one with determination and optimism.

Buemi had predicted that the weather would be an important factor in the final round of the championship. The rain began to fall in the middle of qualifying and played havoc with the hierarchy. Among the leaders Buemi made the best of the situation and clinched sixth place on the grid while his main rivals, Di Grassi and Piquet, were in 11th and 16th places respectively. Nicolas Prost found himself in a group that went out in the wet and qualified in fifteenth position. The sun was shining again when the first race began, and it turned into an epic fight as Piquet made a stunning comeback, while Buemi was solidly installed in fifth place making him the virtual champion.

My first reactions? I’m sad, frustrated, angry.

Sébastien Buemi

Unfortunately, after an impeccable pit stop by the e.dams-Renault team the Swiss missed his braking point, half spun and lost what would prove to be a crucial place. Despite pushing like crazy and using every last drop of energy he could do no better than fifth at the finish while Piquet bagged the six points he needed with seventh place. Prost made a great comeback and snatched tenth at the flag. After a thrilling, spectacular final in Battersea Park, e.dams-Renault is now looking ahead to the second season of the Formula E Championship determined to conquer more titles!

Sébastien Buemi: “My first reactions? I’m sad, frustrated, angry. But I’d like to say bravo to Nelson Piquet who’s had a great season. We made a few mistakes that we have to accept. That’s racing! I’d also like to thanks e.dams-Renault, and I’d like to congratulate the whole team who did a great job throughout the season and again today to change the battery on my car a few minutes before the race. Now it’s time to turn the page and look forward to the coming season. ”

Nicolas Prost: “First of all, I’m very disappointed for Sébastien. There was so little in it. Where I’m concerned I wasn’t very lucky with my qualifying groups this weekend, in particular this morning. But I’m not too unhappy with my race as I fought my way back up to tenth place, but it was impossible to overtake Piquet. The second part of my season wasn’t as good as the first and we’ll have to find out why. Overall, though, I’m pretty satisfied with my qualifying performances.”

Alain Prost (co-founder): “We’re very disappointed for Sébastien. I know exactly what it’s like to lose a title by a point, but you can pick yourself up and come back even stronger. In any case, bravo to our rivals. However, I want to concentrate on the positive side of this season, in particular the thrilling aspect of this championship that was decided in the last corner of the last race! For e.dams-Renault it has also been a great success with the teams’ title and the runner-up spot for Sébastien as well as Nicolas’s good performances. Next week we’re going to start focusing on the second season with development testing and the aim of doing better than this year.”

Jean-Paul Driot (co-founder): “Obviously, I feel very disappointed for Sébastien Buemi. The climax was cruel as he also deserved the drivers’ title, which doesn’t detract from Piquet’s performance who we’d like to congratulate. But we must remember that e.dams-Renault has had a fantastic season in the first year of the Formula E championship with Sébastien and Nicolas Prost, crowned with the teams’ title. Renault’s support has been invaluable, and it will increase next season which, we hope, will be even more successful.”