Jean-Eric Vergne put on a masterclass in timing, poise and pace to clamber through the pack from 22nd to an ultimate seventh spot at the flag, a 15-position gain which saw him become the ABB Driver of Progress winner in Monaco to go with a valuable haul of points. That opening lap was an extreme example of the key to Vergne’s rise, beyond just being patient: that he had speed to deploy and was just careful when he used it. So, despite finishing the first lap in second-to-last spot, and saving a lot of energy, Vergne’s average speed of 100km/h was actually as high or higher than 12 of the cars in front of him. This moved Vergne onto the cusp of the points, and he took 10th on Lap 16 when Norman Nato (Nissan) activated his second ATTACK MODE of the race. Leader Cassidy’s average lap prior to the first Safety Car (Laps 2 to 21) was at an average pace of 1m37.283s. Vergne himself sits seventh in the running after 15 positions gained in Monte Carlo.

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