At the close of the 2024/2025 Formula E season, The Girls Who – Motorsport sat down with Jean-Éric Vergne to discuss a campaign defined by progress behind the scenes, his move to Citroën, life in the World Endurance Championship, and the challenge of balancing elite racing with family life.
Better than the Standings Suggest
Vergne wrapped up his 11th season in Formula E with DS Penske. A year that he feels is not reflected in the final leaderboard.
“I think [it’s] more satisfying than what the ranking may suggest,” he said after the London finale. “We’ve made a huge improvement on the car throughout the season. We didn’t start very well in terms of pure car performance. And I hate to use bad luck as an excuse, but I think it’s fair to say this year we had our fair share of bad luck with technical issues.”
Safety cars, strategy variables, and Attack Mode disruptions repeatedly hampered DS Penske’s points haul.
“I definitely feel that we lost a lot of points due to that. I’m happier than what the results suggest.”
DS Penske to Fight for the Title Without Vergne?
Despite the frustrations, the Frenchman is convinced DS Penske has turned a corner.
“I genuinely think that we now have the car to fight for wins and the championship next year. I’m very confident that next year, we can be title contenders. I fully trust that the team is trying to give us a car to fight for the championship next year.”
However, a title push will come without the driver who delivered both of DS’s Formula E crowns. Over the summer, Vergne signed with fellow Stellantis team Citroën, previously competing as Maserati MSG Racing.
Vergne has been a constant in Formula E since its debut in 2014, racing for Andretti, Virgin/Techeetah, DS Penske, and now Citroën. Eleven seasons later, the motivation remains unchanged.
“I only enjoy winning,” he laughed. “So it’s fair to say I’ve not done much winning lately, but, you know, I’m still enjoying the pursuit of excellence to try and win. And no, I still enjoy it. I still love it. I love the sport, I love the competition, and it’s only going to make it greater next time I win this.”
WEC Adds Speed and Strain
Alongside Formula E, Vergne has continued to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship. He relishes the contrast.
“It’s got four wheels, and you get to compete against amazing drivers,” he smiled. “Give me something that drives, and then with good drivers around, I’m still going to have fun.”
He believes endurance racing sharpens his skillset.
“The more you drive, the better you are. And it’s not like we get a lot of practice in the cars. You know, you’re limited in the amount of days. Yeah. Of course, you’re doing the simulator, but that’s not driving the real car. So, yeah, the more you can drive, the better it is.”
But double-programme life comes at a cost.
“We’re part of a team,” Vergne said of his family. “I couldn’t do all of this without the support of my wife. It’s definitely not easy to not see your kids and wife and the same for them. It takes sacrifices that we’re willing to make for the greater good. I feel very fortunate and lucky to have that.”
Citroën is on the horizon, and the World Endurance Championship continues to sharpen his edge. Vergne ends the year feeling that real progress has been made, even if the standings suggest otherwise. The sacrifices were significant, the competition relentless, but his love for the sport and the pursuit of excellence remain.
A new team, a stronger package, and experience that can’t be measured in points. This season was for Vergne less an ending than a reset, and so the chase continues.