POOLE star Sam Bird stayed cool to win a sizzler in Santiago and grab the overall lead in the Formula E standings.

The Envision Virgin Racing driver sealed his eighth career victory in the Chilean capital in what proved the all-electric championship’s hottest-ever race.

With the track temperature pushing 44 degrees, Bird started fourth on the grid in O’Higgins Park but ended top of the podium ahead of Pascal Wehrlein and Daniel Abt.

Bird said: “That was a great but challenging race. No one really knew how the battery and tyres would react in the extreme temperatures.

“To get the result we did was fantastic and my thanks go to everyone at Envision Virgin Racing for once again putting in the hours to give us this win.

“It’s been a steep learning curve with the limited testing we’ve had, so to find ourselves in a situation where we’re winning races – to go with pole positions and podiums from previous races – is an incredible achievement.”

On the opening lap, Bird made up ground and, by the halfway stage, he was lying second.

In the second half, the 32-year-old was all over the back of leader Sebastien Buemi, forcing the Swiss driver to go on the defensive.

Then, with 10 minutes left on the clock, Buemi clipped the wall on the exit of the chicane, allowing Bird to take a lead which he never relinquished, despite pressure from Wehrlein.

The Dorset flier will tackle the next round of the series in Mexico City on Saturday, February 16.