Formula E in London: Pascal Wehrlein wins on Saturday ahead of Jake Dennis and takes the lead in the World Championship

Pascal Wehrlein has won the first Formula E race of the ‘double-header’ in London. Jake Dennis and Antonio Felix da Costa finished second and third respectively. The German and his team timed their pit boost well, and he also received strong support from Nico Müller and Dan Ticktum. The two Lola-Yamaha-ABT cars caused two full-course yellow phases. Mitch Evans finished the race in eighth place but still has a chance of winning the title.

On Saturday afternoon, Formula E held the first race of the final race weekend of its 12th season. The race started at 3:05pm local time (4:05pm CEST). Pascal Wehrlein and his Porsche team-mate Nico Müller had secured the front row of the grid in qualifying just a few hours earlier.

The pit boost was once again in use during the race, which was scheduled to run for 38 laps at the ExCeL exhibition centre. Title contender Mitch Evans started the race from third on the grid, flanked by the four Porsche-powered cars of Wehrlein and Müller at the front, with Dan Ticktum in the Cupra Kiro and Jake Dennis in the Andretti behind him.

The drivers all got off to a good start. Wehrlein pulled away at the front early on, whilst his team-mate Müller settled in behind him. Meanwhile, Evans, behind Müller, applied pressure and made slight contact with the rear of Müller’s car.

Maloney forced to retire

Zane Maloney triggered a full-course yellow on lap seven. The Barbadian’s rear-left suspension had broken and he came to a halt. That was the end of the race for him. Shortly afterwards, his team-mate Lucas di Grassi received a 5-second penalty for speeding under the full-course yellow.

Evans pitted on lap 17 for his Pit Boost. As soon as he returned to the track, he immediately activated Attack Mode. An exciting duel ensued between Müller and Evans. Müller tried to keep the New Zealander behind him, but was unable to do so for long. Both drivers had already claimed their pit boost by then, and Müller also activated Attack Mode immediately afterwards.

Di Grassi causes a full-course yellow

A full-course yellow was declared for the second time in this race when Lucas di Grassi, in the second Lola Yamaha ABT, crashed into the barrier. The Brazilian reported that the car had continued to accelerate even though he had braked. That brought the race to an end for both Lola Yamaha ABT drivers.

During the Full-Course Yellow, Wehrlein, Tickum, Felix da Costa, Dennis, Buemi, Mortara and Barnard headed for the pits to take the Pit Boost. Evans subsequently voiced his frustration to his team over the radio and found himself in 11th place, whilst the drivers who had pitted during the full-course yellow were now ahead of him.

Ticktum loses ground following a collision

Wehrlein was leading the field, with Ticktum around nine seconds behind him. Ticktum defended hard, but Dennis overtook him to take second place. Felix da Costa, however, kept up the pressure from behind. On lap 34, the Jaguar driver managed to get past the Cupra Kiro. Buemi then overtook him as well. Mortara also attacked Ticktum, resulting in contact. The Briton lost two places.

An extra lap was added to the race, but Wehrlein managed to hold on to his position and finish the race as the winner. The top 10 in the race were rounded off by Dennis, Felix da Costa, Buemi, Barnard, Ticktum, Mortara, Evans and Cassidy.

Formula E continues on Sunday, when the Drivers’ World Champion will be decided. At 8.30 am (9.30 am CEST), the action continues with the third free practice session, with the race taking place in the afternoon at 3.05 pm local time (4.05 pm CEST).

Results & lap times

Championship standings (drivers, teams & manufacturers)