Formula E New York: Vergne crash keeps Di Grassi title hopes alive

Video caption, Formula E: Last lap crash forJean Eric-Vergne takes title into final race in New York
  • Author, Niamh Lewis
  • Role, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Sport

A dramatic last-lap crash for Jean-Eric Vergne means the Formula E championship will be decided in Sunday's season finale in New York.

Audi Sport's Lucas di Grassi, who started 14th on the grid, was fifth to keep his championship hopes alive.

Di Grassi is 22 points behind DS Techeetah's Vergne in the standings.

Swiss Sebastien Buemi won the first race of a double-header weekend to move into fourth on 104 points, 26 behind Vergne.

New Zealand's Mitch Evans finished second - he now has 105 points - and Portugal's Antonio Felix da Costa third.

Buemi's win for Nissan eDams is a season first, and his first victory in over two years.

Video caption, Championship leader Vergne crashes on final lap in New York

He gained the three points on offer for pole position and the 25 for a race win, taking him to fourth in the championship with 104 points.

The last-lap drama unfolded as Vergne attempted an overtake on Venturi's Felipe Massa - they went wheel-to-wheel before Massa squeezed him into the next corner from the outside, causing damage to the championship leader and demoting him from the points-scoring positions.

But before Vergne could begin to limp to the pitlane, Jerome d'Ambrosio in the Mahrindra drove over the damaged cars.

Sam Bird was given a 10-second penalty, dropping him down to eighth, while fellow Briton Alex Lynn retired from the race with a loss of power.

The final race of the Formula E season takes place on Sunday at 20:30 BST, with coverage on the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button and ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Sport website.

Image source, LAT