Formula E: Evans beats Vergne in Jakarta E-Prix thriller

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Jaguar's Mitch Evans claimed his third win of Formula E's eighth season in Jakarta, winning the inaugural event in Indonesia by reeling in and beating DS Techeetah's Jean-Eric Vergne.

Evans defeated the Frenchman with an opportunistic move late in the race, but critical energy management for the pair and scorching track temperatures upheld the uncertainty of the race's outcome until the end.

Venturi's Edoardo Morata took third place but finished hot on the heels of Evans and Vergne.

Led by an all DS Techeetah front, the field set off with Vergne and Antonio Felix da Costa fending off their rivals, with Evans, Mortara, Jake Dennis and series leader Stoffel Vandoorne in hot pursuit.

A safety car triggered by Oliver Rowland losing his left-front wheel momentarily paused proceedings, but on the restart, a mistake by da Costa dropped the Portuguese driver to fourth.

Ten minutes in, Vergne, Da Costa and Dennis were the first of the leaders to take their first of two Attack Modes, which allowed Evans to pick up the baton up ahead until the Kiwi himself took his energy boost, with Vergne recouping the lead.

In pursuit of the Frenchman, Evans prolonged his first energy stint and took his second Attack Mode on lap 25 with 15 minutes remaining on the clock, a move that brought him withing half a second of Vergne.

But on lap 32, the Jaguar made a bold move into Turn 7, diving down the inside of Vergne and emerging ahead out of the corner.

Evans initially built a lead but his ailing tyres saw him fall once again into the clutches of Vergne while Mortara caught up with the leading pair.

With all three drivers battling dwindling energy levels, the tense finale saw Evans working overtime to keep his pursuers behind, but the Jaguar driver prevailed at the chequered flag from Vergne and Mortara, with all drivers crossing the line with zero energy left in their batteries.

Da Costa and Vandoorne completed the top five, with the Mercedes driver retaining his overall lead in the championship.

The next round of the Formula E championship will take place in Marrakesh on July 2nd.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.