It was a decidedly mixed second season for the Venturi Formula E team, settling firmly in the mid order.
A total of 77 points saw them finish sixth in the championship, ahead of Amlin Andretti, Team Aguri and NEXTEV TCR.
After losing experienced driver Nick Heidfeld to Mahindra for the second season, former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve was employed as their ‘superstar’ driver alongside Stephane Sarrazin, a relationship which would quickly end.
Replacement, former IndyCar driver Mike Conway did a decent, if unspectacular job in the second car.
Stephane Sarrazin
Championship Position: 6th
Points: 70
Best Finish: 2nd
Season two was really good for Sarrazin, stepping out from the shadows of their former driver Nick Heidfeld with some consistent results.
So consistent that he was the only driver in the field to score points at every single race, including a second place at the Long Beach ePrix. It was a highlight weekend for the Frenchman, narrowly missing out on the win after an excellent qualifying saw him third on the grid.
Even in difficult circumstances, such as starting from the pitlane in Berlin, Sarrazin was able to carve out a result and was the most successful driver without winning a race.
Jacques Villeneuve
Championship Position: 20th
Points: 0
Best Finish: 11th
As ever with Jacques Villeneuve, there was never a dull moment. Coming into the sport with a big fanfare ahead of the second season with Venturi, high hopes were put on the Canadian to propel the team up the field.
He had large boots to fill, replacing Nick Heidfeld who had moved to Mahindra for the season two but even during the summer testing period his credentials were questioned.
His Formula E career suddenly ended, after just three ePrix’s announcing he had a difference of opinion on the running of the team. It came on the back of three average races for the Canadian, not even able to start the race in Punta del Este after accident damage forced a withdrawal.
Mike Conway
Championship Position: 16th
Points: 7
Best Finish: 8th
Mike Conway was appointed the replacement for Jacques Villeneuve starting from the fourth round in Buenos Aires. As one of only a few drivers to have driven a Formula E car, but not race in one, Conway was an obvious replacement choice.
He was immediately on the pace, qualifying fifth in his first ePrix in Buenos Aires, before falling down the field during the race.
Points first came in Long Beach, which was the first double points finish of the season for Venturi, with further points paying positions coming in Berlin and London at the end of the season.
Although Conway did a competent job, he will have to raise his game if he is with the team next season to match the success of teammate Sarrazin.
