Sam Bird was delighted to win the final round of FIA Formula E London ePrix event in front of his home fans at Battersea Park on Sunday.

In a dramatic, but controversial end, to the inaugural Formula E season, the 28-year-old Roehampton-born Virgin Racing driver was awarded victory after Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin, of Venturi, took the chequered flag first, but was then demoted to 15th for excessive energy use.

"What an amazing race and end to the season,” said Bird, a former Mercedes F1 test driver, who resides in Hersham.

“We worked hard to maintain our position in the first half of the race and after a great car changeover we jumped to third.

"I managed to conserve the car's energy to enable a lap more than Stephane before the second stint - that turned the race for me.

“It’s been a mixed season for us but what a way to finish.

“To end the season on top of the podium in front of a home crowd is incredible."

Bird, who also won in Putrajaya, Malaysia last November, finished the season in fifth with 103 points.

Brazil’s Nelson Piquet Jr, who finished seventh in Sunday’s race, won the overall championship with 144 points.

And Bird paid tribute to the Brazilian saying: “I think Nelson is a worthy champion.”