Formula E Season 7 opener: DS Automobiles ready to defend its double titles!

Given the current world situation, work and preparations have looked different to other years but the team have come together to create new routines to ensure everyone’s safety whilst pressing on with the World Championship preparation work. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DS TECHEETAH have opted to run the DS E-TENSE FE20 package from the previous season, albeit with a new software, and make the change to our Season 7 challenger later in the season.

DS Performance and the two DS TECHEETAH drivers have been busy at various test sessions to ensure that both the DS E-TENSE FE20 package and the coming Season 7 package will be ultimately optimised for the on-track challenges ahead.

Mark Preston, DS TECHEETAH Team Principal:

“The last year has been a great test on everyone’s tenacity and adaptability and we are no exemption. It has been really tough on everyone in the team and I am beyond impress how everyone has taken on the challenge to run a racing team under the circumstances. If we thought we were a close-knit team before, it has got nothing on what we are now. Challenges strengthens teams and we have definitely felt that come through. We now have Season 7 ahead of us, the first World Championship season for Formula E and we are extremely keen on getting a World Championship title to our roaster.

Xavier Mestelan Pinon, DS Performance Director:

“Following the great two double titles, the goals for 2021 are clear: to fight again for the top step on the podium! Still, we need to stay realistic, as the competition from the other nine constructors in the field will be fiercer than ever! Contrarily to our rivals, we will start the season with last year’s car, which is a guarantee of performance and reliability and allows us to start the season in full confidence. Later, we will have the new power unit, much awaited by our drivers. The Diriyah track has a superb layout, combining fast and twisty sectors, and is very challenging in terms of set-up and driving. To have a good kick-off in Saudi Arabia would certainly be very helpful in our campaign to retain the titles ! “

Antonio Felix da Costa, Reigning Formula E Champion and DS TECHEETAH Driver:

“I don’t think anyone could have foreseen what the last year would be like and certainly not for how long the pandemic would last. The situation is still severe and the fact that we can go racing is nothing but a testament to success of Formula E’s rigorous protocols to keep everyone safe. It’s the first World Championship season and I am more motivated than ever because who wouldn’t want to be the first Formula E World Champion?”

Jean-Eric Vergne, Double Formula E Champion and DS TECHEETAH Driver:

“This team never cease to amaze me. Not even during a pandemic they stop pushing forward. It was a good decision to introduce the Season 7 package a bit later in the season and it has given us the opportunity to run the program like we wanted it. We have done some good upgrades on the package we will start the season with and I’m very excited to see the new one introduced later on. This season will be a bit special for the obvious reasons, but I am fully confident in Formula E’s ability to run safe events as they proved they could do so in Berlin last year, and I am ready to get back on track.”