Head-to-head at the Gen3 start: The e-Formel.de driver rating for the 2023 Mexico City E-Prix

For several months, Formula E fans were eagerly awaiting the first race of the Gen3 era: Which drivers and teams would probably cope best with the new technology? The good results of the four Porsche drivers and Jake Dennis in particular suggest an initial trend for 2023. But how good were the individual performances of the quartet compared to the other drivers?

Once again, the editors of e-Formel.de will award points on a scale between 1 and 10 for all drivers after each race weekend of the season. The drivers are then sorted according to their average "rating score", and the best ten performances are commented on by our Formula E reporter Tobias Bluhm. Only individual driving performances are included in the rating, not the potential of the car or external circumstances.

The e-Formula.news driver rating for the Mexico City E-Prix 2023

1st Jake Dennis | Avalanche Andretti | 9.5 points

On his way to his first win of the new season, Jake Dennis left no questions unanswered. The Andretti driver behaved smartly in the first third of the race, conserving energy while pole-sitter Lucas di Grassi (Mahindra) set the pace. Dennis then took advantage of an inattention by the Brazilian to overtake - and didn't look back afterward.

His drive to the top step of the podium was a real show of power. Porsche will be very pleased with the Briton's performance in the Andretti customer car - and the U.S.-based racing team anyway.

CONCLUSION: As soon as Jake Dennis starts at the front of the field, he is a red-hot candidate for victory. In Mexico, he was simply unbeatable.

2. Lucas di Grassi | Mahindra Racing | 9.5 points

Once again, Lucas di Grassi showed in Mexico why he is one of Formula E's best drivers. He gave his new employer Mahindra a pole position right away. In the race, the Indians' new powertrain was too inefficient to give di Grassi any real chance of winning. However, the 38-year-old defended himself heroically and clung on to 3rd place in greater energy distress. In doing so, he got the most out of the E-Prix.

CONCLUSION: A very good start to the year ended for di Grassi with his first podium. It remains to be seen, however, how often he will be able to achieve these results this season.

3rd Pascal Wehrlein | TAG Heuer Porsche | 8.8 points

After a few years of privation, 2022 was supposed to be the year for Pascal Wehrlein. Everything started well with a win in Mexico City, but when his car gave up the ghost while he was leading in Monaco a few weeks later, the German's season slipped out of his hands. In 2023, he wants to make another run - and again, things went decidedly well in Mexico.

Although Wehrlein was never able to fight for victory at any point, he always looked competitive and efficient behind Jake Hughes (McLaren) and di Grassi. Decisive maneuvers at exactly the right times washed him into second place, where he also finished the race after 41 laps. We're curious to see if he can build on this good start to the year.

CONCLUSION: In a clean race, Wehrlein was able to show off all his Formula E experience.

4. Jake Hughes | Neom McLaren | 8.5 points

What a strong debut for the McLaren newcomer! For several years, the Briton prepared for his debut behind the scenes of the teams of Nio 333, Venturi and Mercedes. As recently as the fall, he described himself as "the best-prepared driver" without a regular cockpit. He followed up that announcement with action in Mexico.

Despite the experience gap, Hughes held his own in the lead group throughout the race. He promptly managed to turn his excellent starting position into the first top-5 result of his career. The 28-year-old is a force to be reckoned with this year!

CONCLUSION: An all-around successful debut for the McLaren newcomer. Ian James' leap of faith seems to be paying off.

5th Andre Lotterer | Avalanche Andretti | 7.8 points

There could be an interesting dynamic at Andretti this year: Jake Dennis enters what is now his third year with the U.S. team and, on paper, is the team leader. However, his new team partner Andre Lotterer is considerably older and more experienced in Formula E. In Mexico, the German had to give way to his colleague. But with his own driving performance, Lotterer by no means has to hide behind Dennis.

The 41-year-old showed himself as eager to attack as ever in Mexico. However, due to the few overtaking opportunities, he was only able to pass rivals such as Jake Hughes late in the race. Lotterer was therefore "only" left with an inglorious fourth place. Nevertheless, if he can keep up his pace from Mexico, Lotterer could become one of the top drivers of the season.

CONCLUSION: Andre Lotterer drove an excellent race. 4th place is his best result since the Berlin E-Prix 2022 - and fully deserved!

6th Sebastien Buemi | Envision Racing | 7.3 points

After tough years at Nissan e.dams, it should have been a delight for Formula E fans in Switzerland and beyond to finally see Sebastien Buemi back in a reasonably competitive car. In qualifying, he was narrowly defeated by his long-term rival di Grassi in a knockout duel, but the race pace of the Envision car was spot on. He drove easily in the top 10 and collected eight championship points.

CONCLUSION: Not that it would surprise anyone. But Sebastien Buemi still has it!

7th Antonio Felix da Costa | TAG Heuer Porsche | 6.3 points

Porsche's newcomer Antonio Felix da Costa was somewhat unfairly overshadowed by his brand colleagues in Mexico. The Portuguese drove a good race for his new employer, but - much like Lotterer - was stuck in traffic for the majority of the time. A late attack on Buemi might still have been possible. But he should be satisfied with the six world championship points for the start of the year.

CONCLUSION: A good debut with the new team and the pace of his brand colleagues in the Porsche 99X Electric should give Felix da Costa courage for 2023.

8th Mitch Evans | Jaguar TCS Racing | 6.3 points

After the mysterious accident in 1st Free Practice, there was little for Mitch Evans and Jaguar TCS Racing to gain in Mexico. The New Zealander seemed to lack confidence in the balance of his own car, which was particularly noticeable in qualifying. After tough battles with the DS Penske drivers, he crossed the finish line in 8th place and collected a total of four points for his efforts.

CONCLUSION: Eighth place is not the result the title-hungry Evans might have hoped for.

9th Nick Cassidy | Envision Racing | 6.3 points

With his usual dose of humor, Nick Cassidy commented on his Mexico City E-Prix on Instagram, "9th place: a solid weekend where I learned a lot. I played it safe, was always on my guard and stayed cool. The biggest problem was at Starbucks." To that end, he shared a picture of a coffee mug with the words "Deck" (instead of his first name, Nick).

At the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the New Zealander remained mostly inconspicuous. He drove emphatically sparingly throughout the race, only to go full throttle in the closing stages. Thanks to an energy buffer of two to three percent over his direct rivals, he was able to make up several places in the last three laps and move into the top 10.

FAZIT: A good, if not outstanding race by Cassidy. This is something to build on!

10th Sacha Fenestraz | Nissan | 6.0 points

Officially, Sacha Fenestraz is not a rookie this year. But his experience from a race start with Dragon last August is unlikely to be worth mentioning. The Mexico City E-Prix went solidly for Fenestraz: In a strong qualifying session, he made it to the knockout stage with a bit of luck - 0.002 seconds ahead of Felix da Costa. In the race, he raced in the top 10 for a while, but had no chance of finishing in the points.

CONCLUSION: Fenestraz had his teammate Norman Nato - after all, race winner in Formula E - clearly under control. With this start to the season, the Franco-Argentinean can be satisfied!