Bird dedicates Putrajaya win to Bianchi

Sam Bird has dedicated his victory in the Putrajaya ePrix to former team-mate Jules Bianchi, who was seriously injured in an accident during the Japanese Grand Prix two months ago.

The Virgin Racing driver dominated the Malaysian Formula E street race, snatching the lead from Oriol Servia shortly after an early safety car period before proceeding to win by a substantial margin.

Following the success, Bird dedicated the victory to Bianchi, a rival throughout the junior ranks and his team-mate at ART Grand Prix during the 2011 GP2 Series. The Frenchman remains unconscious after suffering serious head injuries in a collision with a recovery vehicle during the Japanese Grand Prix in September.

"I have to dedicate this win to a good friend of mine who is very ill," the Englishman said. "It's very sad what's happened to him and this one is for Jules."

Reflecting on the win itself, Bird was delighted with his performance having topped free practice, qualified on the front row and won comfortably.

"The weekend went really well, we were quick from the first outing and we were quickest in practice," he said. "Qualifying didn't quite go our way as I think we were not in the best group for doing a fast lap time but we put that right in the race.

"The first stint I was able to get a very good gap which meant we could take it easy and not make any silly mistakes, do some lift and coasting, and coast to the finish."

Following a third place finish in the inaugural Beijing race, Bird is on the tail of championship leader Lucas di Grassi heading to the third round in Uruguay.