Pascal Wehrlein scores Formula E Doubleheader Sweep in Saudi Arabia

Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E team driver Pascal Wehrlein turned the street circuit in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, into his own playground, winning both ends of the ABB FIA Formula 1 weekend doubleheader under the lights.

Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team driver Jake Dennis finished second in Sunday’s race, while René Rast finished third for NEOM McLaren in Formula E.

On Saturday, Dennis finished second and Jaguar TCS Racing’s Sam Bird took the podium.

The wins, coupled with his second-place finish at the season opener in Mexico City on January 14, put Wehrlein ahead of the all-electric open-wheel series after three of the 16 scheduled rounds. Dennis, who won in Mexico City, is second in the championship, just four points behind Wehrlein.

Wehrlein had to work in both races as he started Saturday’s race ninth on the grid. He started fifth on Sunday.

“This weekend was incredible, a double victory,” said 28-year-old Wehrlein, who raced in Formula 1 in 2016 and 2017. “Our race pace was incredible again and today we had the perfect strategy, using the attack modes at the right time and not having to use it after the safety car – that was crucial. What can I say, just great for my team – all their hard work has finally paid off and I’m so proud of them This weekend is one I’ll never forget.

“I would say (Saturday) was a bit more exciting because I had more cars to pass. Today wasn’t easy and I would say it was even a bit harder. The others obviously learned from yesterday, Sam Bird had quite a lot of energy on the end, but still had to use his attack mode – so that probably saved us a little bit. But you could clearly see they made steps forward today and that made it a little bit more difficult.”

The races marked the Middle Eastern debut of Formula E’s Gen 3 racers. Next up is round 4 at Hyderabad, India E-Prix on February 11.

The series will make its only stop in the United States in Portland, Oregon, on June 24.

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“You know you’re having a really good season when you’re a little disappointed with P2,” said Dennis. “We just didn’t have a great start, Pascal had a good one and we had a bad one – and then there was so much work to do once I got past (Sebastien) Buemi. But great work from the guys, we had such an efficient drivetrain once I cleared Buemi I was able to move forward pretty fast but at that point Pascal was too far out to beat he can have this one but we’re going to come out swinging in India and try and take the lead the championship away from him.

Results

Formula E in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia

Round 2

1. Pascal Wehrlein, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, 47:45.567

2. Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +0.531 second

3. Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing, +3.526

4. Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, +6.048

5. Rene’ Race, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +7.471

6. Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing. +7,614

7. Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, +12394

8. Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +15187

9. Andre’ Lotterer, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +15.563

10. Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, +17914

11. Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, +26307

12. Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team, +27.070

13. Lucas Di Grassi, Mahindra Racing, +28.799

14. Dan Ticktum, NIO 333 Racing, +37.318

15. Sergio Sette Camara, NIO 333 Racing, +45.034

16. Kelvin Van Der Linde, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, +1:00.135

17. Sacha Fenestraz, Nissan Formula E Team, +1:09.547

18. Antonio Felix Da Costa, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, +1 lap

19. Oliver Rowland, Mahindra Racing, +1 lap

20. Edoardo Mortara, Maserati MSG Racing, DNF

21. Maximillian Gunther, Maserati MSG Tacing, DNF

22. Nico Mueller, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, DNF

Round 3

1. Pascal Wehrlein, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, 50:40.304

2. Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E. +1.252 seconds

3. Rene’ Race, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +4.554

4. Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing, +4.851

5. Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +10869

6. Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, +10.947

7. Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, +11.088

8. Sacha Fenestraz, Nissan Formula E Team, +12409

9. Edoardo Mortara, Maserati MSG Racing, +12.753

10. Dan Ticktum, NIO 333 Racing, +13.275

11. Antonio Felix Da Costa, Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, +15229

12. Andre’ Lotterer, Avalanche Andretti Formula E, +15.623

13. Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing. +17.038

14. Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team, +19569

15. Lucas Di Grassi, Mahindra Racing, +20796

16. Jean-Eric Vergne, Rev. Penske, +21.221

17. Sergio Sette Camara, NIO 333 Racing, +22.243

18. Kelvin Van Der Linde, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, +25291

19. Maximillian Gunther, Maserati MSG Tacing, +27137

20. Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, +37572

21. Oliver Rowland, Mahindra Racing, DNF

22. Nico Mueller, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, DNF