LONDON, UK (June 28 2015): Nelson Piquet Jr. is the first Formula E champion. The Brazilian took the title at the end of an incredible day, with the excitement building as everyone was left holding their breath until the final lap and then some. Piquet drove in a very determined fashion from start to finish, making up a lot of places, thanks to a very aggressive strategy: his courage was rewarded with seventh place, enough for him to triumph in the title fight, which also means that, for the first time, a Chinese team, NEXTEV TCR, has produced the champion in an FIA series.
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Pit Lane Garages |
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Emotion Formula e Club Lounge |
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Mumm's Champagne |
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Natalie Imbruglia |
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Simona de Silvestro |
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Luca di Grassi |
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The rain didn't damper the smiles |
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Peter Dundas |
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Alex Fontana race preparations |
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Jarno Trulli |
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Grid Girls |
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Karun Chandhok |
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Jean Todt and Michele Yech |
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Nelson Piquet Jr and Emerson Fittipaldi |
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Luca di Grassi helmet |
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Karun ready to race with Hannibal Reitano |
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Daniel Abt helmet |
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H.R.H Princess Beatrice |
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Fan Boosted |
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Hannibal Reitano and Bruno Senna |
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Jearno Trulli |
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Changing cars |
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Changing cars |
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Winner Sam Bird |
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Sarah Ferguson and H.R.H Princess Beatrice presenting winners trophy |
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1st Sam Bird, 2nd Jerome D;Ambrioso and 3rd Loic Duval |
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Selfie |
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Champagne celebrations |
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Sam Bird kids |
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Hannibal Reitano and Felipe Massa |
Apart from Piquet, the other hero of the moment was Englishman Sam Bird, who took his second win of the season in front of his home crowd. It was a well-deserved, if not unexpected victory, given that Bird actually took the chequered flag right behind Stephane Sarrazin, but on the slowing down lap, the Venturi driver was informed he had exceeded the permitted energy allowance. The inevitable penalty dropped him to 15th place. Bird’s great day also included setting the fastest race lap, which was worth not just the two bonus points in the classification, but also the Visa Fastest Lap Trophy in the very race in which Visa Europe was the title sponsor.