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Formula E: Get to know Envision Virgin Racing

By Benjamin Kuhl

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 14: In this handout provided by FIA Formula E, Sam Bird (GBR), DS Virgin Racing, DS Virgin DSV-03 during the New York City ePrix, Round 11 of the 2017/18 FIA Formula E Series on July 14, 2018 in New York, United States. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/FIA Formula E via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 14: In this handout provided by FIA Formula E, Sam Bird (GBR), DS Virgin Racing, DS Virgin DSV-03 during the New York City ePrix, Round 11 of the 2017/18 FIA Formula E Series on July 14, 2018 in New York, United States. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/FIA Formula E via Getty Images) /
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Envision Virgin Racing will be looking to reach the next level in Formula E with a new powertrain with high prominence in the 2018-2019 season.

Virgin Racing are set to return for their fifth season of Formula E competition with the goal of reaching the top echelon of the sport with a new powertrain and a potent driver lineup.

Virgin Racing are joined by sponsor Envision Energy, which will serve as a significant source of funding and experience to replace departing sponsor DS Automobiles, which have taken up support of Techeetah.

Envision Virgin Racing have seen consistent results in Formula E with the team coming off of a third place finish in the 2017-2018 team standings. The team also welcome a new powertrain supplier with the incorporation of the Audi Sport Gen2 Audi e-tron FE05. The team will be looking to elevate themselves with the addition of powertrain systems of the reigning team champions.

The drivers

Sam Bird, #2

Sam Bird stands as the veteran at Envision Virgin Racing, as the Brit has completed 45 races and earned seven wins and 15 podium finishes. He has had a consistent career and is one of only three drivers to win a Formula E ePrix in three different seasons.

Bird started his driving career in karting like so many others. He moved up to Formula BMW and then up to the Mercedes Formula 1 junior driver program. He was the team’s test driver for the 2012 season. He joined Formula E in the 2014-2015 season.

Robin Frijns, #4

While Robin Frijns will be racing his first season with Envision Virgin Racing, it will not be his first season of Formula E competition. He has competed in a total of 22 races with no wins and one podium finish. He drove for Andretti Motorsport in seasons two and three and sat out the fourth season. He will be replacing Alex Lynn.

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Frijns is one of the few drivers in the field who was not born into karts and discovered his love for racing relatively later than the many who began karting at extremely young ages.

Still, Frijns managed to work his way up through Formula BMW Europe, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Formula Renault 3.5, GP2 and up into testing positions at the Sauber, Caterham and Red Bull Racing Formula 1 teams. Formula E is not Frijns’s only series of competition, as the 27-year-old Dutchman also competes in the Blancpain GT and DTM series in Audi automobiles.

Envision Virgin Racing stand as a well-established team in Formula E and will be looking to maximize the gains of competing with such an established supplier in Audi. The British outfit will be hoping for a competitive package that will allow their drivers to gain experience with the new Gen2 format and challenge the factory Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team in the coming season.

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Sam Bird and Robin Frijns will be on track soon, as the first race of the 2018-2019 Formula E season is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 15. This race, the Ad Diriyah ePrix, is set to take place at the Riyadh Street Circuit in Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Tune into Fox Sports 1 for live race coverage starting at 6:30 a.m. ET.

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