Vergne reveals he was in quarantine before drive to Marrakesh podium

Two-time Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne has revealed that he was quarantined in Marrakesh after falling ill with a virus, before charging to his first podium of the season.

The DS Techeetah driver missed the first practice session for the Marrakesh E-Prix after falling ill with a virus with reserve driver Jordan Rossiter taking his place, before returning on Saturday.

The Frenchman qualified eleventh and managed to climb up to third place by the end despite being in second place with just two corners remaining, with BMW's Max Guenther capitalising on Vergne's lack of usable energy left to claim his second podium of the season.

Vergne confirmed in the post-race press conference that he was forced to make a trip to the hospital due to the severity of the illness.

"It was definitely my most difficult weekend in Formula E," Vergne told the world's media. "Not really because of the on-track activities but outside the track. Yesterday I was kept in a quarantine in hospital in Marrakesh. I can let you imagine how my day was.

"I was feeling a little bit better but I was in a five-square-metre bedroom. It was very, very hard and then for the last three days I had 40 degrees fever, so I was not at my best."

Vergne decided not to do the Formula E 'tradition' and run to the podium, while he also sat out the post-race media pen. His performance cited praise from his team-mate and winner Antonio Felix Da Costa.

"I have to say, what's impressing me the most today is this guy!" Da Costa said. "He had a tough week and he's here on the podium with us so I'm super happy."

Vergne now has over a month to regain full fitness before the Formula E circus arrives in Italy for the Rome E-Prix on April 4.