Swiss racer Sebastien Buemi bagged his first win after a “nerve-wracking” third round of Formula E in Uruguay on Sunday.

The e.dams Renault driver took the podium in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,000 fans in Punta del Este. China Racing’s Nelson Piquet Jr came second place on the circuit which took in Uruguay’s beaches.

Buemi said: “It’s been a very difficult journey so far because the first two races didn’t go as expected but today we did everything right… I’m very happy.”

The win bumps Buemi to second place in the championship equal on points with Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird. The British driver crashed out on lap three after locking up and launching over the kerbs.

The two drivers are now 18 points adrift of Lucas di Grassi who picked up his third podium in succession.