Formula E

Vergne believes title is a possibility despite poor start

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FIA Formula E Hong Kong e-Prix. First Practice Session Hong Kong Harbour, Hong Kong, Asia. Sunday 9 October 2016. Photo: Adam Warner / FE / LAT ref: Digital Image _L5R7413

Jean-Eric Vergne believes that he can still challenge for the title despite not scoring any points in the season opener in Hong Kong.

The Frenchman had shown impressive pace in his Techeetah in pre-season, leading many to believe that he could challenge for wins this season.

However a red flag in qualifying in Hong Kong disrupted his session, meaning he only managed ninth on the grid.

His race was then effectively ended when the water pump on his car failed, meaning he had to stop early for his second car.

Vergne believes that were it not for these difficulties then he would have been challenging for the win.

“We lost a really strong result, 25 points or 18 points,” he told Autosport. “It’s only the first race. There’s a lot of things we can change and lot of things we can point out.

“For Marrakech I am sure things will be in much better shape in the team.”

With the pace that is in the car, Vernge believes that it is only a matter of time before they are fighting for the championship, and emphasised that he will be taking it upon himself to ensure that the rest of the team believe the same.

“I feel extremely good,” Vergne said. “It’s just a question of time.

“I have one of the best cars and I don’t think I’m the worst driver on the grid, I believe in my abilities. I’m sure we will win races and fight for the championship.

“That’s the mentality I want to have in the team, which not everybody has at the moment. Things will move forward sooner or later that’s for sure, I will make sure of that.”

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