Formula E

Formula E in Mexico: Oliver Rowland defeats Porsche drivers in a thrilling race

Timo Pape

Timo Pape

Adam Pigott / Spacesuit Media

Oliver Rowland has won the Formula E Mexico City E-Prix. The Nissan driver prevailed in an interesting race against the two Porsche drivers Antonio Felix da Costa and Pascal Wehrlein, who completed the podium. Sao Paulo winner Mitch Evans (Jaguar) retired after a late accident.

Antonio Felix da Costa in second place got off to a slightly better start than pole-sitter Pascal Wehrlein, but fell behind his team-mate. As a result, there were initially no position changes in the leading group. Jean-Eric Vergne followed in third ahead of Oliver Rowland. However, the Brit passed the Frenchman after just one lap. He was followed by Jake Dennis, Max Günther and Mitch Evans. The loser of the starting phase was Dan Ticktum, who dropped to the back of the field with his Kiro. He had been spun in the stadium by Jake Hughes.

The two Porsche drivers drove ahead in formation on the first laps, with Felix da Costa repeatedly pulling out to prevent possible attacks from Rowland. The Nissan driver continued to push unperturbed and followed with a small gap. Then the first drivers went into attack mode, although none of them were in the top 10 yet, although Taylor Barnard was unable to overtake Nyck de Vries despite his improved performance. It was already clear that the attack mode would have a much smaller effect on the narrow track in Mexico than in Sao Paulo.

In the leading group, all the drivers held back during the first ten laps and did not risk too much, although Rowland and Vergne continued to battle for third place. While David Beckmann suffered damage to his front wing, Edo Mortara had to pit - apparently due to a tyre failure following a collision with Sam Bird. The McLaren driver would later receive a time penalty for the incident.

Dennis storms to the front

At the end of lap 14, things got wild: Wehrlein went for his first attack mode and Felix da Costa shielded him. As a result, he lost ground on the exit of the stadium and Rowland passed him! Jake Dennis had also worked his way up in attack mode and passed the Portuguese driver. Then Felix da Costa also had to let Vergne pass. Dennis then passed Rowland and was now chasing Wehrlein. On lap 16, he attacked his old adversary, drove alongside him through the stadium and finally prevailed - the first lead change in Mexico!

Felix da Costa got his first attack mode on lap 17 and fought his way past Vergne, Rowland and team-mate Wehrlein - after a radio call to Porsche asking if he could overtake him. Felix da Costa now put Dennis under pressure and finally overtook him on lap 19 of 36. The "adjusted" order of the top 4 after the first of two attack modes: Felix da Costa, Dennis, Wehrlein, Rowland.

However, the Briton soon had to give up fourth place again when Nico Müller attacked with his second attack mode. On lap 20, Wehrlein was the first driver in the leading group to use his second attack mode and initially dropped back to fifth place behind Evans. One lap later, Dennis reacted and also drove through the attack zone for the second time. Team-mate Müller gave him "breathing space", let Dennis past again a little later and held off Wehrlein for a while.

Safety car unexpectedly plays into Rowland's hands

The top three were all in attack mode on lap 22: Dennis ahead of Felix da Costa and Wehrlein. One lap later, Felix da Costa attacked Dennis and snatched the lead from him! Wehrlein also piled on the pressure and finally squeezed past Dennis in turn 9 on lap 24. Now there were two works Porsches in the lead again - ahead of the two Andretti customer Porsches! One lap later came the first radio message about tyre wear: "My left front tyre is gone", said Dennis. Possibly that's why he had to let the two Porsche drivers go.

On lap 27, Rowland had reclaimed fourth place from Müller. Behind him, the two DS Penske drivers raced in attack mode - Vergne ahead of Günther. Then David Beckmann collided with Zane Maloney and came to a halt at the exit of turn 12 with damage to his front wing. Because he could no longer move his Cupra Kiro, race director Scot Elkins sent the safety car onto the track. The unlucky man of the hour was apparently Rowland, as the Nissan driver still had a good five minutes of attack mode left. The two DS drivers also lost their valuable additional power.

However, it went faster than expected, leaving Rowland with around 70 seconds of attack mode left! After the restart on lap 31, Rowland immediately attacked Dennis and passed him in turn 1. A short time later, he also caught Wehrlein and, finally, the race leader Felix da Costa in turn 12 with the last of his attack mode! Rowland in the lead just a few laps before the end!

Evans crashes, Rowland stays cool

A few seconds later, the safety car signs lit up again: Jaguar driver Evans had collided with Müller - the late end for the Sao Paulo winner and world championship leader! However, the interruption did not last long. On lap 33, the race continued at race pace. Rowland at the front had almost two per cent less energy than the two Porsche drivers behind him, so the race remained very exciting. All the drivers in the top 10 had now completed their attack modes, so there were still three laps of "honest" racing to come.

Rowland skilfully spread out despite the energy deficit and confidently led the field. Felix da Costa was unable to put any serious pressure on the Briton. He only tried again on the last lap. But Rowland did well and defended until the finish - victory for the Nissan driver! Felix da Costa finished second ahead of team-mate Wehrlein and Dennis.

Antonio Felix da Costa has taken the lead in the overall Formula E standings thanks to two second places. Oliver Rowland is level on points with Mitch Evans - each with a win - in second place. Pascal Wehrlein is fourth. Porsche has taken the lead among the teams and is already well ahead of McLaren, Nissan and Jaguar. Porsche is also ahead in the manufacturers' championship - albeit with only a two-point lead over Nissan.

The next race will take place as a double header on 14 and 15 February. Formula E will then make its first guest appearance in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) on a shortened version of the Formula 1 circuit.

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