DUBAI, RIYADH, MEXICO: Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche gave a masterful display of driving to clinch the first win of the season in an electrifying start to season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Wehrlein consolidated his renowned prowess at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez by leading from the start and converting his fourth Julius Baer Pole Position in Mexico to a second race win in the country.
Although briefly ceding the lead during an attack mode charge under Full Course Yellow conditions, the German-Mauritian driver showcased his skill and resilience before a well-timed overtake to regain his lead.
Wehrlein’s win underlines the success of the Porsche powertrain as the third Porsche-powered winner in each of the last three Mexico City E-Prix events. Joining Wehrlein on the podium were Sebastien Buemi, second for Envision Racing, and Nick Cassidy, Jaguar TCS Racing’s new signing, in third.
The race also saw strong performances from Maximilian Guenther (Maserati MSG Racing) and Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing), with the latter engaging in a fierce defensive battle with Jean-Eric Vergne (DS PENSKE), who made an impressive climb from 10th to sixth. Jake Hughes (NEOM McLaren Formula E Team), Stoffel Vandoorne (DS PENSKE), championship-defender Jake Dennis and Norman Nato (both Andretti Formula E) also put in notable performances, navigating through the pack to round out the top 10.
A relatively clean race was only interrupted after Robin Frijns found the wall on the exit of the Foro Sol on lap nine. A Full Course Yellow would be required for the car’s removal, forcing Wehrlein to delay his attack on then-leader Buemi.
Wehrlein said: “It was a tough race because we were leading most of the race and that’s not so efficient for energy — but every lap was like a qualifying lap, trying to maximize speed. I saw a small mistake behind me which created a small gap, and from then I think it was pretty controlled. Thanks a lot to my team and to all the fans here, it’s always great to be here in Mexico; it’s a great atmosphere. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.”
Buemi said: “I’ve had four podiums here now. They’re calling me the veteran. Qualifying was the key point really. I know it’s quite difficult to pass here, but we’ve had a clean race. Pascal was fast, but I heard he was under investigation, so I decided to stick to P2, and if it becomes something more, then I’ll be happy with that.”
Third-placed Cassidy added: “It’s the start of a really nice new chapter. I had high expectations with FP1 and FP2, it’s not been an easy weekend, but the team have been really awesome with me throughout. Hopefully this is the start of something cool; it was a great race. I think the grid can definitely challenge Pascal moving forward.”
The 2024 Mexico City E-Prix results puts Wehrlein top of the drivers’ table and TAG Heuer Porsche in the lead of the team standings. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns in less than two weeks with the first double-header of the season — the much-anticipated night race in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 26 and 27.
Earlier, the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, experienced a new level of speed and acceleration in Mexico City behind the wheel of Formula E’s world record-breaking GENBETA race car.
Bolt accelerated from the start line at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, achieving 0-60mph in 2.89 seconds and powering through 100m in 4.36 seconds — 5.22 seconds faster than his own 100m world record of 9.58 seconds.
