Formula E – Round 1: Wehrlein enjoys lights-to-flag win in Mexico City
TAG Heuer Porsche's Pascal Wehrlein produced an authoritative win in the opening round of the 2024 FIA Formula E Championship in Mexico City on Saturday.
It was Wehrlein’s second win in Mexico, the German driver securing his and Porsche’s maiden FE triumph two years ago at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
However, while it was an uncontested win on the road for Wehrlein, a post-race investigation into an undisclosed technical infringement has put the Porsche’s driver’s win in jeopardy, with a decision from the stewards still pending.
Envision Racing’s Sebastien Buemi and Jaguar TCS Racing’s Nick Cassidy who completed the top three could be set to benefit from a potential penalty handed to Wehrlein.
Wehrlein's impeccable start saw him establish a commanding lead of over a second by the end of the first lap.
He meticulously managed the race, expertly defending against Buemi, while Cassidy impressed in third as he adapted seamlessly to his new team, the Kiwi overhauling Maserati’s Maximilian Gunther, who finished fourth, mid-way through the 37-lap event.
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Fellow Jaguar TCS Racing driver Mitch Evans had a more challenging race, battling to hold off the charging Jean-Eric Vergne (DS PENSKE).
Vergne, starting from tenth on the grid, displayed remarkable determination and skill to climb through the field and finish in seventh place.
NEOM McLaren's Jake Hughes followed the Frenchman home in seventh, with Season 8 champion Stoffel Vandoorne finishing P8.
Reigning FE champion Jake Dennis, defending his title for Andretti, recovered from a qualifying error to finish in ninth place, followed by his new teammate Norman Nato in tenth.
Envision Racing's Sebastien Buemi who finished P2 in Mexico City.
With this victory, Wehrlein has taken the early lead in the Drivers' Championship, while TAG Heuer Porsche has established a comfortable margin at the top of the Teams' Championship.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will resume in two weeks' time for a double-header of night races in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on January 27th and 28th.
Update: After being suspected of ‘not respecting the homologated primary throttle pedal map’, an alleged breach of Article 3.2.1. of Formula E’s regulation, Pascal Wehrlein and Porsche were cleared of any wrongdoing by the stewards who took no further action on the matter.
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