Pascal Wehrlein Scores Formula E Doubleheader Sweep in Saudi Arabia
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.
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.
"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
Round 2
Pascal Wehrlein, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, 47:45.567
Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +0.531 second
Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing, +3.526
Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, +6.048
Rene' Race, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +7.471
Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing. +7.614
Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, +12.394
Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +15.187
Andre' Lotterer, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +15.563
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, +17.914
Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, +26.307
Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team, +27.070
Lucas Di Grassi, Mahindra Racing, +28.799
Dan Ticktum, NIO 333 Racing, +37.318
Sergio Sette Camara, NIO 333 Racing, +45.034
Kelvin Van Der Linde, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, +1:00.135
Sacha Fenestraz, Nissan Formula E Team, +1:09.547
Antonio Felix Da Costa, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, +1 Lap
Oliver Rowland, Mahindra Racing, +1 Lap
Edoardo Mortara, Maserati MSG Racing, DNF
Maximillian Gunther, Maserati MSG Tacing, DNF
Nico Mueller, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, DNF
Round 3
Pascal Wehrlein, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, 50:40.304
Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E. +1.252 second
Rene' Race, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +4.554
Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing, +4.851
Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +10.869
Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, +10.947
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, +11.088
Sacha Fenestraz, Nissan Formula E Team, +12.409
Edoardo Mortara, Maserati MSG Racing, +12.753
Dan Ticktum, NIO 333 Racing, +13.275
Antonio Felix Da Costa, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, +15.229
Andre' Lotterer, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +15.623
Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing. +17.038
Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team, +19.569
Lucas Di Grassi, Mahindra Racing, +20.796
Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, +21.221
Sergio Sette Camara, NIO 333 Racing, +22.243
Kelvin Van Der Linde, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, +25.291
Maximillian Gunther, Maserati MSG Tacing, +27.137
Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, +37.572
Oliver Rowland, Mahindra Racing, DNF
Nico Mueller, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, DNF