The DS Virgin Racing team are looking to continue their recent form in Punta Del Este this weekend after the British team picked up a second place with Sam Bird in Putrajaya.

The Putrajaya weekend did come with its challenges, as both drivers qualified outside the top ten with Bird and Vergne in 13th and 14th.

Also, 25 minutes before the pit lane opened. There was a loud bang on Bird’s side of the garage, which was a battery failure, which almost cost the British driver from starting the race.

The team will hope that they can change their fortunes around in qualifying in Uruguay, so they don’t have to rely on other drivers not finishing and Bird not having to race the race of his life in each ePrix to make the podium.

Bird is hopeful that the team can maintain the high they had from Putrajaya onto this weekends race.

“After Malaysia the whole team was on a high, so we need to use that energy and channel it into another positive performance in Punta.

“We’re in a good place, but there’s still a lot that we can improve on with the car too, which gives us plenty of optimism going into the weekend. I didn’t have the best of times in Uruguay last year, but it’s a circuit that all of the drivers enjoy and so I’m hoping we can round off the year on a high,” said Bird.

On the other side of the garage, Jean-Éric Vergne should have some fond memories of Punta Del Este as it was where the Frenchman made his Formula E debut last season.

He stormed his way to pole position before his race was ultimately cut short while fighting for the lead with two laps to go with a mechanical failure.

Ahead of his return to Punta del Este, Jean-Éric Vergne said: “It’s nice for me personally to come back to a track that has some good memories from last year. I’m hoping I can use that experience to get off the mark for the team, and give them an early Christmas present in the process.”

The team are also getting into the festive spirit as the DSV-01 car livery will be given a special festive make-over. Named after Holly and Bellie Branson, each car’s unique ‘flying lady’ graphic will be adorned with Christmas holly and bells.