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Frijns: Final safety car ended Rome E-Prix chances of beating Vergne

Robin Frijns says he could have beaten Jean-Eric Vergne to the runner-up spot in Formula E's second Rome E-Prix race, feeling the safety car nullified his energy advantage.

Robin Frijns, Envision Racing, Audi e-tron FE07, Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-TYPE 5

Robin Frijns, Envision Racing, Audi e-tron FE07, Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-TYPE 5

Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

The Dutchman enjoyed a sterling weekend in which he collected two podium finishes, which lifted him to second in the drivers' championship - two points behind Vergne - and continued his ever-presence in the new qualifying duels format.

Frijns led both races in Rome for a spell, battling with polesitter Stoffel Vandoorne in the early stages of the first before the two were cleared by double winner Mitch Evans, and faced up against Andre Lotterer and Vergne in the second before Evans cleared them all once more.

He was pleased to come away from Rome with a "lot of points in the bag", but reckoned he could have been on for a repeat second place in Race 2 had the final safety car ahead of a one-lap showdown to the finish not intervened.

"Yeah, I finished third. I could have finished second if it wasn't for the last safety car," Frijns asserted.

"I had 1% more [energy] than JEV and was quite close and ready to overtake him. But at the end, you know, I'm happy to be in a podium again."

"We had a definitely good weekend, double podium, the car has been working pretty well.

"We just missed out on the Jaguar's pace really, but yeah I'm quite happy how the two races went, and just stayed out of trouble."

Race winner Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing on the podium with Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Techeetah, 2nd position, Robin Frijns, Envision Racing, 3rd position

Race winner Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing on the podium with Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Techeetah, 2nd position, Robin Frijns, Envision Racing, 3rd position

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Frijns admitted that it was "odd" that there were relatively few signs of a formbook in the early rounds of the championship, and that each circuit has played in favour of a different team each time.

The Envision driver explained that consistency would be important in deciding his fortunes, and conceded that he would have to "settle" if the car is not at its best.

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"It's just a bit odd that we go to Riyadh and Mercedes is the king; we go to Mexico, Porsche is the king; come here Jaguar was the king.

"You cannot really pinpoint a team or a manufacturer which is at the top of the standings.

"But that's Formula E as well, it's always quite exciting. Staying consistent is key, as I've always said; stay out of trouble, score as many points as you can.

"Today and yesterday, it's a lot of points in the bag which are important. But sometimes, you know if the cars aren't good enough, you need to settle for P6 or P8 or whatever."

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