Nick Cassidy emotionally told RacingNews365 that he was "heartbroken" to lose the Formula E title after being hit by Antonio Felix da Costa in last weekend's season finale.
The Jaguar driver put in the performance of his life to claim pole for the London E-Prix finale, having missed final practice.
He made an excellent start to the race and led the opening stages but fell to third behind his two title rivals after activating both of his attack modes.
However, Cassidy remained close to the top-two and was set to overtake both of them in the closing stages, when they were set to take their own attack modes. It was looking set to be Cassidy's title, until Porsche's da Costa hit the New Zealander.
The contact caused an immediate puncture that forced Cassidy into the pits for repairs, before retiring from the race.
Da Costa apologised to Cassidy after the race and on social media on Monday morning, although the Jaguar driver could not help but feel like he lost a title destined to be his.
"Heartbroken, because I felt like this season I was the guy," an understandably emotional Cassidy told RacingNews365.
Explaining his race, Cassidy later continued "Yeah, I was just building up that energy because I knew that both of them were going to try to push to create a gap to me and take their attack," Cassidy explained.
"But because I had the energy, I didn't think that they could. I think I showed that I was the fastest car so I didn't feel either of them were going to be able to attack in front of me.
"So yes, I was in the prime position."
Last weekend cruelly marked the second consecutive Formula E season finale weekend where Cassidy has missed-out on becoming world champion.
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Cassidy leaves season 'proud'
Da Costa received a five-second time penalty for the incident which saw Jaguar collect the manufacturers' championship as well as the teams' crown, although it was the Porsche driver's team-mate – Pascal Wehrlein – who won the drivers' title.
The FIA judged that nothing was done intentionally by the Season 6 champion, who stated on social media on Monday morning: "To Nick Cassidy, a huge, huge apology that I gave you that puncture and what a brutal consequence it had."
Cassidy released a social media post himself on Monday morning on Instagram, where he addressed the season finale and dealing with what happened.
"They say these things make you stronger," Cassidy wrote on Instagram. "Ultimately we were in the prime position to win the world championship but it hasn’t worked out.
"Yesterday’s qualifying performance is something I’ll be proud of for a while to come, and a lesson that not everything in life is in your control.
"Now’s not the time for the why not’s, but to congratulate Porsche Motorsport and Pascal Wehrlein on a fantastic season and well deserved championship. The support up and down pit-lane and worldwide has been super touching and I can only say a sincere thank you.
"It’s been a privilege to join Jaguar Racing. A big thanks to all my guys who have believed in me and given me the opportunity to be in this position once again. Season 11 at some point, but now for a bit of a break."
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