(CNN) Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne became the first driver to successfully defend the Formula E title as a seventh-placed finish in the final race of the 2018-19 season in New York Sunday was enough to wrap up the championship.

The Techeetah driver stayed out of trouble in a race won by Dutchman Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing) as his main rivals were unable to mount a significant challenge in the 13th and final round of the supercharged season.

Say hello to the double-champ! @JeanEricVergne claims his second successive ABB FIA Formula E Championship after the 2019 #NYCEPrix 🏆🏆 #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/Tqi11DaW39 — ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) July 14, 2019

Polesitter Alexander Sims (BMW i Andretti Motorsports) finished second with former champion Sebastien Buemi in third on the street circuit in Brooklyn.

Nissan e.dams driver Buemi, who won the first of the New York doubleheader Saturday, saw his slim chances of overhauling Vergne evaporate when he failed to win the three points on offer for claiming pole in qualifying.

But the Swiss driver clinched second in the final standings as the other title contenders Lucas di Grassi of Brazil and New Zealand's Mitch Evans clashed on the last lap and failed to finish.

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