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Pascal Wehrlein Scores Formula E Doubleheader Sweep in Saudi Arabia

Mike Pryson
·5 min read
abb formula e championship in saudi arabia
Wehrlein Scores Formula E Doubleheader SweepAnadolu Agency - Getty Images

Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team driver Pascal Wehrlein turned the street circuit at Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, into his own person playground, winning both ends of the ABB FIA Formula 1 weekend doubleheader under the lights.

Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team driver Jake Dennis finished second in Sunday's race, while René Rast finished third for NEOM McLaren in Formula E.

On Saturday, it was Dennis finishing second and Jaguar TCS Racing's Sam Bird completing the podium.

The wins, coupled with his runner-up finish at the season opener at Mexico City on January 14 leave Wehrlein in the season points lead of the all-electric open-wheel series after three of 16 scheduled rounds. Dennis, who won in Mexico City, is second in the championship, just four points back of Wehrlein.

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Wehrlein had to work in both races, as he started Saturday's race ninth on the grid. He started fifth on Sunday.

"This weekend has been incredible, a double victory," said the 28-year-old Wehrlein, who raced in Formula 1 in 2016 and 2017. "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.

abb formula e championship in saudi arabia
Jake Dennis had back-to-back runner-up finishes and left Saudi Arabia second place in the standings, four points back of Pascal Wehrlein.Anadolu Agency - Getty Images


"I would say (Saturday) was a bit more exciting as I had more cars to pass. Today was not easy and I would say it was even a bit more difficult. Obviously, the others learned from yesterday, Sam Bird had quite a lot of energy in the end but still had to take his Attack Mode—so that probably saved us a lit bit. But you could clearly see they made steps forward today and that made it a bit more difficult."

The races were the Middle Eastern debut of Formula E's Gen 3 racers. Next up is Round 4 at Hyderabad, India E-Prix on February 11.

The series makes its lone stop in the United States at Portland, Oregon, on June 24.

"You know you're having a really good season when you're a little bit disappointed with P2," Dennis said. "We just didn't have a great start, Pascal had a good one and we had a bad one—and then there was just so much work to do once I got past (Sebastien) Buemi. But a great job by the boys, we had such an efficient powertrain again, once I cleared Buemi I could move forward quite quickly, but by that point Pascal was too far away to beat. He can have this one, but we are going to come out swinging in India and try and take the Championship lead off him.

Results

Formula E at Diriyah, Saudi Arabia

abb formula e championship in saudi arabia
Pascal Wehrlein celebrates his win Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

Round 2

  1. Pascal Wehrlein, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, 47:45.567

  2. Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +0.531 second

  3. Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing, +3.526

  4. Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, +6.048

  5. Rene' Race, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +7.471

  6. Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing. +7.614

  7. Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, +12.394

  8. Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +15.187

  9. Andre' Lotterer, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +15.563

  10. Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, +17.914

  11. Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, +26.307

  12. Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team, +27.070

  13. Lucas Di Grassi, Mahindra Racing, +28.799

  14. Dan Ticktum, NIO 333 Racing, +37.318

  15. Sergio Sette Camara, NIO 333 Racing, +45.034

  16. Kelvin Van Der Linde, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, +1:00.135

  17. Sacha Fenestraz, Nissan Formula E Team, +1:09.547

  18. Antonio Felix Da Costa, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, +1 Lap

  19. Oliver Rowland, Mahindra Racing, +1 Lap

  20. Edoardo Mortara, Maserati MSG Racing, DNF

  21. Maximillian Gunther, Maserati MSG Tacing, DNF

  22. Nico Mueller, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, DNF

abb formula e championship in saudi arabia
Pascal Wehrlein completed the sweep on Sunday.Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

Round 3

  1. Pascal Wehrlein, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, 50:40.304

  2. Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E. +1.252 second

  3. Rene' Race, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +4.554

  4. Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing, +4.851

  5. Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +10.869

  6. Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, +10.947

  7. Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, +11.088

  8. Sacha Fenestraz, Nissan Formula E Team, +12.409

  9. Edoardo Mortara, Maserati MSG Racing, +12.753

  10. Dan Ticktum, NIO 333 Racing, +13.275

  11. Antonio Felix Da Costa, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, +15.229

  12. Andre' Lotterer, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +15.623

  13. Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing. +17.038

  14. Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team, +19.569

  15. Lucas Di Grassi, Mahindra Racing, +20.796

  16. Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, +21.221

  17. Sergio Sette Camara, NIO 333 Racing, +22.243

  18. Kelvin Van Der Linde, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, +25.291

  19. Maximillian Gunther, Maserati MSG Tacing, +27.137

  20. Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, +37.572

  21. Oliver Rowland, Mahindra Racing, DNF

  22. Nico Mueller, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, DNF