DIRIYAH, Saudi Arabia — Pascal Wehrlein steered his 99X Electric GEN3 car to his second win of the weekend at the Formula E CORE Diriyah E-Prix.
Once again, the TAG Heuer Porsche driver beat Avalanche Andretti driver Jake Dennis to the line, while René Rast secured a first podium for NEOM McLaren. By qualifying fifth, rather than yesterday’s ninth, Wehrlein made things easier on himself ahead of round three under the magical lights of Diriyah.
More than 35,000 fans attended the race weekend and saw the Middle-Eastern debut for the all new GEN3 car.
From fifth place, the German always looked a threat to those ahead. Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing had taken the lead from polesitter Jake Hughes of NEOM McLaren through the first corner on the opening lap, before Hughes and Rast managed to pass the Jaguar driver during ATTACK MODE.
Rast then briefly took the lead through his first round of 50kW boosts before Wehrlein stepped up a gear, having bided his time behind the lead trio and managing his energy. Passes on Hughes then Evans just a lap apart, each down at turn 16, put him right with race leader Rast before Wehrlein undercut the McLaren driver through ATTACK MODE and skipped into a two-second lead.
Dennis and Bird were making moves of their own as Wehrlein clambered into the lead. The Avalanche Andretti driver took fifth from Edoardo Mortara on lap 21, while Bird followed suit thanks to an audacious trademark manuevuer at the final corner.
Just a lap later, pre-race standings leader Dennis sliced by Hughes for fourth and in quick succession saw off Evans and made it three on the spin by taking second from Rast. By then, Wehrlein had drawn out a lead and looked peerless. There were no problems for the Porsche driver who stretched his legs again to win by a margin of just over a second.
Wehrlein became only the fifth driver to take to the top step of the podium in both races of a Formula E doubleheader.
“This weekend has been incredible, a double victory. Our race pace was incredible again and today we had the perfect strategy, using the ATTACK MODES at the right time and not having to use it again after the safety car — that was crucial. What can I say, just amazing for my team — all their hard work has finally paid off and I am so proud of them. This weekend is one I will never forget,” Wehrlein said.
Bird had looked to be in the box seat for third, but lost the position and couldn’t gain it back after taking ATTACK MODE and not converting a late attempt to usurp Rast out of position. Hughes couldn’t quite capitalize from taking pole, but yet again, scored good points to maintain his consistent start to the campaign with fifth.
Sébastien Buemi needed no second invitation to steal sixth from Mitch Evans of Jaguar after the Kiwi scuppered a move on Hughes over the line, getting caught with the McLaren and allowing the Swiss to nip in.
Sacha Fenestraz produced the best drive of his rookie season to-date with eighth for Nissan Formula E Team, while Edoardo Mortara got points on the board with ninth — something to show for Maserati MSG Racing’s tireless efforts on a testing race weekend. Dan Ticktum brought home his NIO 333 in 10th for his first points of the season.