Motorsports news - Champion Jean-Eric Vergne wins two-part race in Sanya

Reigning champion Jean-Eric Vergne scored his first victory of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E season at Sanya in China, passing poleman Oliver Rowland before a red flag period.

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Rowland held the lead for much of the race, before the Nissan e.dams driver was passed by Techeetah's Vergne with 21 minutes remaining.

Formula E Sanya

Rowland: I had to be aggressive with my defence

00:00:42

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23/03/2019 at 13:14

The race was stopped with 12 minutes left on the clock after contact between Andre Lotterer and Alexander Sims put the latter in the wall and forced the BMW man to stop on track.

After the restart, Vergne maintained a narrow lead ahead of Rowland, but then was placed under investigation for violating the safety car procedure.

However, the reigning champion escaped with only a reprimand, with Vergne provisionally becoming the sixth different winner of the season in as many races.

Vergne dedicates victory to Charlie Whiting

A late collision between Robin Frijns and Lucas di Grassi ensured the race ended under a full course yellow.

Behind second-place finisher Rowland, Antonio Felix da Costa (BMW) completed the podium ahead of Lotterer (Techeetah) and Daniel Abt (Audi).

Vergne clinches victory under yellow flag after huge Di Grassi crash

Pre-race points leader Sam Bird was an early retirement after his Envision Virgin car was clouted by the HWA machine of Stoffel Vandoorne on the opening lap.

Formula E Sanya

Vergne dedicates victory to Charlie Whiting

00:01:06

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23/03/2019 at 09:09

Formula E Sanya

Vergne clinches victory under yellow flag after huge Di Grassi crash

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23/03/2019 at 08:49