Heidfeld: Vergne drove 'slalom race'
ByAutoSport
Updated 02/12/2017 at 14:54 GMT
Nick Heidfeld has slammed Jean-Eric Vergne after their battle in the Formula E season-opening Hong Kong ePrix, describing the Frenchman's defensive driving as "slalom" racing.
Nick Heidfeld
Image credit: Getty Images
Heidfeld jumped from fourth to third in the pitstop sequence and was immediately on the back of Vergne, who was comparatively low on energy having stopped a lap earlier.
The German made several attempts to pass Vergne and had his nose ahead while braking for the chicane, only for the Techeetah driver to block him on the exit, resulting in contact between the two.
The move attracted criticism from Heidfeld, who felt Vergne "did not stick to the rules" while defending his position.
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Sebastien Buemi (SUI), Renault eDams, Spark-Renault, Renault ZE 16, leads Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA), Techeetah, Spark-Renault, Renault ZE 16, at the start of the race during the FIA Formula E Championship Paris ePrix on May 20, 2017 in Paris
Image credit: Getty Images
"It's probably one of the third places I'm the least happy about," said Heidfeld.
"I'm sure that will change hopefully in the next couple of days, which shows teams has done a good job. Finishing on the podium is always a good result.
"I'm just disappointed because he had quite a lot of problems and didn't have the pace because of the issues on his car.
"I tried too hard to overtake him, but wasn't always happy with what he did. To me he was doing bit too much of a slalom race. He did not stick to the rules.
"We spoke about that - he obviously seems to think it was OK. I accept that. But not that happy."
Vergne felt he nothing wrong while defending against Heidfeld, saying he would do "nothing silly" since he has his eyes on the title.
"I just wanted to end that race," he said. "It was really tough. Nick is a good fighter.
"I'm here for the long term, thinking about the championships, so wasn't going to do anything silly.
"Sometimes you have to finish second and third or fourth, but take the points. And at the end of the year they will count."
Vergne was hit by a spate of issues, including problems with battery regeneration, brakes and radio communication, all of which dropped him into the clutches of the Mahindra driver.
"You need information but I didn't have the right line on my dash," he said. "My brakes were not working. And I had no regen.
"To have these issues and finishing second, it's more than a win to us. That means when we will fix them - and I'm sure we are going to fix them in the night - tomorrow we should be stronger."
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