Formula E champion Pascal Wehrlein ahead of the season opener in Sao Paulo: "I see myself as a hunter too"

Pascal Wehrlein, Germany's newly crowned "Driver of the Year", has a mission: to defend the first German FIA World Championship title since Nico Rosberg (2016). The starting signal for this will be given this Saturday at the Formula E season opener in Sao Paulo. Ahead of the E-Prix, the 30-year-old talks about his hunger for the title, his preparations for the season and his family life.

After his great triumph at the London E-Prix in July, Pascal Wehrlein is the one to beat - even if he doesn't see it that way himself: "No, not at all. I'm approaching the new season in such a way that I see myself as a hunter too, because we're all chasing the championship and the title."

The background to this somewhat surprising statement is that the new Gen3 Evo car with all-wheel drive and softer tyres will be used for the first time in Formula E this weekend. All manufacturers have developed new powertrains for this, which makes it difficult to predict the performance level of the individual teams.

"Everyone is starting from scratch again," says Wehrlein. "Just because we were so strong this year doesn't guarantee that we'll be at the top next season." However, his goals with the Porsche works team are - unsurprisingly - clear: "We want to defend the drivers' world championship. But there is also the teams' and manufacturers' titles. All three are important for us."

Wehrlein has prepared meticulously for this in recent months. "I trained a lot. When I was at home, three times a day. I do cardio training, strength exercises, stretching and mental training," he reveals. "I vary my cardio training with the treadmill, bike and rowing machine. I also have an air bike, where the air is the resistance."

Family guy Wehrlein: "The best moments ever"

Wehrlein also spent a lot of time with his family during the season break. "I try to combine both in the best possible way. That requires a lot of discipline, a lot of commitment. Not just from me, but also from my wife, my parents and my team. When I'm away for a few days and come home, it's just lovely. Our daughter is almost two years old now, and she can do something new every time."

Little Soleya was even there live at the track when her dad won the title - Wehrlein dedicated his championship to her over the team radio. "Of course, it's the best feeling to take her to the races. Especially when you then take a win or win the world championship, like at the finale in London. That creates memories that I will have with my family forever. For me, those are the best moments ever."

"Driver of the Year" award for Wehrlein

Before travelling to Sao Paulo, Wehrlein made a stop in Berlin. There, he received the "Driver of the Year" award at the Axel Springer Motorsport Awards last weekend. The award ceremony organised by Auto Bild and Sport Bild is regarded as the highest German accolade in motorsport. It had taken eight years for Germany to have a world champion in motorsport again.

"I'm delighted to receive this honour," says Wehrlein. "It's the best honour you can receive as a driver in Germany. I will find a very special place for the trophy in my home." But now his full focus is on the new Formula E season: "Hopefully, a German team with a German driver will be at the front again in the end."

The first free practice session at the Sao Paulo E-Prix will take place on Friday evening at 9 pm CET. As always, e-Formula.news will be offering a livestream and - from now on also in English! - a liveticker. The race in Brazil starts early on Saturday evening at 6 pm CET.