Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche) put some vital points on the board in the second round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Mexico City with a hard-fought third place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
The race did not exactly go according to plan for Wehrlein, who started from pole position and looked strong in the early stages, but the important thing is that the 2024 World Champion was able to kick-start his season in the best way at this second round with a good haul of 18 points for a podium finish and a pole position.
The MIM-contracted driver led the field for the first third of the race, during which no one made a move as the top six remained the same, before activating his first attack mode on lap 14.
The next 15 laps then saw a terrific battle between the Porsches of Wehrlein, his teammate Antonio Felix Da Costa, who led until lap 29, the Porsche-powered Andretti of Jake Dennis and the Nissan of Oliver Rowland.
Rowland seized the moment on lap 30, when he passed Dennis, Wehrlein and Da Costa under attack mode power boost to take the lead on the only available lap between two safety car exits and he held on until the chequered flag to take the win ahead of the two Porsche drivers, who closed out the podium with second and third.
“Unfortunately, I think that the race didn’t exactly go to plan,” declared Pascal. “We were looking strong on energy and leading almost half of the race initially, but somehow it went away from our hands. It is what it is and I’m sure we will learn something from it. A quick word for the fans, of course, it’s great that we have so many fans here. It’s one of my favourite races and honestly this crowd has given me so much support this weekend. Still, it was good to get some points on the board and we look forward to the next round in Saudi Arabia.”
CLASSIFICATION (after two rounds): 1. Da Costa (Porsche) 37 points; 2. Rowland (Nissan) 25; 3. Evans (Jaguar) 25; 4. Wehrlein (Porsche) 21; 5. Barnard (Mclaren) 17; 6. Bird (McLaren) 12; etc.
NEXT ROUND: Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), February 14th
