# SAM BIRD VICTORIOUS IN HISTORIC ROME ELECTRIC VEHICLE GRAND E-PRIX - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/sam-bird-victorious-in-historic-rome-electric-vehicle-grand-e-prix/ - Published: 2018-04-17T00:09:29-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy --- Sam Bird, British racer wins inaugural Formula E race in Italian capital.  DS Virgin Racing move into second spot in both teams’ and drivers’ standings.  The Team got blessed by Pope earlier in the week.  This win brings up team’s seventh career win during 40th [Formula E race](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/formula-e-race-coverage-coming-to-japan/). Finally, Rome Mayor [Virginia](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/07/greenpower-motor-to-begin-manufacturing-electric-school-buses-this-fall-in-west-virginia-facility/) Raggi presents winning trophy in front of capacity crowd. ![Photo caption ds virgin racings sam bird celebrates victory during todays inaugural formula e rome e prix](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/ 04/image-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1 "image-2 - The Green Living Guy") _DS Virgin Racing’s [Sam Bird celebrates victory](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/07/ds-formula-e-race-recap-a-lesson-in-momentum/) during today’s inaugural Formula E Rome E-Prix_ DS Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird took a historic victory during today’s inaugural Formula E race in Rome to pick up his seventh win in the series to date and move him, and his team, into second place in the championship standings. [CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE RACE HIGHLIGHTS](https://web.archive.org/web/20181208064037/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeh2wbwMryE) The British driver, who has competed for the team in every one of the 40 Formula E races run, resisted a late charge by Lucas [di Grassi](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/04/di-grassis-shoreline-sensation/) in the closing stages to clinch victory after poleman Felix Rosenqvist retired after breaking his rear-left suspension. In front of a capacity crowd, Bird had looked quick all day around the specially built Circuto Cittadino dell’EUR street track finishing P2 in both the opening practices, as well as the tightly fought qualifying sessions. ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/image-1.jpg? resize=217%2C166&quality=52&ssl=1 "image-1 - The Green Living Guy") > _“I honestly didn’t think I would be sitting here today when I saw the pace of > Felix [Rosenqvist],” said the 31-year-old, who earlier in the week had been blessed > by the Pope at a special event organised by Formula E. “I was able to catch him > towards the end of the first stint but there were some quick cars behind me. It > was a shame what happened to Felix in the second stint, but it gave me the lead > so was a case of just getting my head down and not making any mistakes. The team > has done a great job today and we’re all looking forward to the Paris race in > two weeks’ time.”_ > _Meanwhile, it was a frustrating weekend for Sam’s team-mate and fellow Brit Alex > Lynn who, despite showing strong pace, got caught up in race incidents, forcing > him to retire for only the second time this season. “It’s certainly been a frustrating > weekend on my side of the garage, but I’m obviously delighted for Sam and for > the team. The pace was there but it just didn’t quite come together today. For > sure we’ll go away and come back fighting again for the next European race in > Paris.”_ > _[DS Virgin Racing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/01/formula-e-rookie-test-for-ds-virgin-racing/) > Team Principal Alex Tai commented: “I’m delighted for Sam and for the team. The > Rome event has been fantastic so huge credit to Formula E. Sam does have a habit > of winning on new tracks – like his double victory at the inaugural New York race > last year – or maybe it was the blessing from the Pope! Either way, we’re delighted > and grateful to the whole team for their continuous hard work. Of course, it’s > been a frustrating one for Alex but he’s a great driver and I know he’ll bounce > back.”_ > _DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: “What a pleasure to start > our European tour with such a great victory in Rome, in front of thousands of > fans! This is a good omen before our home race in Paris and we can now celebrate > this trophy in style!”_ The next Formula E race – round 8 – takes place in Paris on April 28. For more information on the team, including high-res images and video content, visit: [http://map.ds-virginracing.com/](http://map.ds-virginracing.com/) 2018 FIA Formula E Championship Rome E-Prix (Rd 7) – Race results (33 laps): 1. Sam Bird, DS Virgin Racing (25pts) * Lucas di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler (18pts) * Andre Lotterer, Techeetah, (15pts) * Daniel Abt, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler (12pts, FL) * Jean Eric Vergne, Techeetah (10pts) * Sebastien Buemi, Renault e.dams (8pts) * Jerome D’Ambrosio, Dragon (6pts) * Maro Engel, Venturi Formula E (4pts) * Mitch Evans, [Panasonic Jaguar Racing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/panasonic-jaguar-electric-vehicle-racings-point-scoring-record-continues-in-rome/)( 2pts) * Eduaro Mortara, Venturi Formula E (1pt) DNF. Alex Lynn, DS Virgin Racing Drivers’ standings (after Rd 7): 1. Jean Eric Vergne, 119pts * Sam Bird, 101pts * Felix Rosenqvist, 82pts * Sebastien Buemi, 60pts * Daniel Abt, 50pts * Alex Lynn, 17pts Teams’ standings (after Rd 7): 1. Techeetah, 152pts * DS Virgin Racing, 118pts * [Mahindra](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/mahindra-renesas-launch-formula-e-technical-partnership/) Racing, 103pts * Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, 89pts * Panasonic Jaguar Racing, 88pts **_Sources: DS Automobiles [http://www.dsautomobiles.com](http://www.dsautomobiles.com), FIA Formula E Championship [www.fiaformulae.com, ](https://www.fiaformulae.com/en) Virgin Racing, [http://www.ds-virginracing.com](http://www.ds-virginracing.com)_** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)