Jean-Eric Vergne, also known as ‘JEV,’ is the only driver to have won the Formula E Drivers Championship more than once. He obtained the titles in Season 4 and Season 5.
Jean-Eric Vergne’s Career: His Journey in F1 and the Successful Switch to FE
Jean-Eric Vergne was born in France in 1990. He started racing in karting at only four years old, moving to the single-seater world in 2007. JEV took part in French Formula Renault, winning the championship during his first season.
After his victorious debut, he was selected by the Red Bull Junior Team. In 2008, he competed in the Eurocup and the Western European Cup. He won the rookie title in both championships and decided to participate in another season.
Come 2010, Vergne moved to the British Formula 3. During the first 24 races, he occupied the highest step on the podium on 12 occasions. The French obtained the Drivers title with six races to go.
During the same year, he took part in a few GB3 races. However, he left the championship mid-season due to the clashing weekends with Formula 3. He returned to GB3 in 2011.
Vergne fought for the title against his teammate Robert Wickens. The French lost the championship by only nine points.
Vergne’s F1 Experience
During the last weeks of 2011, JEV was confirmed as Toro Rosso 2012 driver in Formula 1. The Frenchman became Daniel Ricciardo‘s teammate. He finished his first season in F1 in 17th position, collecting 16 points.
Vergne re-signed with Toro Rosso for a second season. He ended up being 15th in the standings, after obtaining a total of 13 points. He then took part in a third season in F1.
In 2013, he was Daniil Kvyat‘s teammate. The French driver had a difficult season, finishing in 13th position. During the whole year, Vergne struggled to be as competitive as the Russian. At the end of the season, he was replaced by Max Verstappen marking the end of his F1 career.
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Jean-Eric Vergne Switch to FE
After leaving F1, Vergne signed with Andretti for Formula E Season 1. JEV debuted in the third round of the championship. The Frenchman stepped twice on the podium: the first time in Long Beach and the second at the end of the London E-Prix.
Vergne finished the season in seventh position and left Andretti after only one season. He then switched to DS Virgin Racing, becoming Sam Bird’s teammate.
His second season in FE wasn’t lucky and he ended up ninth in the final standings. He obtained two podiums: a second place in Paris and a bronze medal in London.
Vergne signed with the new Techeetah team for Season 3. It was a positive year for the driver. JEV finished second in four races: Buenos Aires, Mexico City, New York, and Montreal.
The French earned his first Formula E win during the last E-Prix of the season, the second round in Montreal.
Vergne Becomes FE Champion
JEV remained with Techeetah for Season 4, collecting great results. He started the season with a podium in the first race which was held in Hong Kong.
He won his first seasonal race in Santiago, repeating the result during the Punta del Este E-Prix. Vergne also won the Paris E-Prix and finished third in Berlin.
The Frenchman could celebrate one last win at the Swiss E-Prix. His positive performances made him collect 198 points. With his strong results, Vergne conquered the title of Formula E Season 4 champion.
JEV re-signed with the team for a third year.
Vergne’s Season 5 started with a podium in Diriyah, while the first win arrived in Sanya. He stepped twice more time on top of the podium: in Monaco and Bern.
His consistency was the key to his success and Vergne celebrated his second title in Formula E. No other driver has collected more than one title in the category.
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The Recent Seasons
Vergne remained with Techeetah even in Season 6. The team had partnered with DS. Vergne fought for the title, but he couldn’t win it. He finished third in the standing after two bronze medals and one win. The only seasonal victory arrived in Berlin.
Season 7 was hard for the two-time FE champion. He won the Rome E-Prix and finished second in New York. However, Vergne struggled to remain constant. He closed the season in 10th place.
Vergne raced for DS Techeetah also during Season 8. He obtained two third places and finished second on three occasions. The French driver didn’t collect any victory that season, finishing the year in P4 in the general standings.
Techeetah left Formula E at the end of Season 8, with the team being renamed DS Penske.
During Season 9, Vergne obtained the win of the Hyderabad E-Prix, his last victory in FE. He concluded the season in 5th.
During Season 10, JEV found the podium on two occasions: the Diriyah E-Prix and the Portland race. The Frenchman didn’t win any race, finishing 5th.
He is now taking part in Season 11 with DS Penske, after racing for ten seasons without changing teams.
