For just the second time in its short Formula E history, Porsche has won an E-Prix with ace driver Pascal Wehrlein, taking Friday’s Diriyah race 1 win from well off the front row. During qualifying Wehrlein’s fast lap was completely scuppered by a competitor diving right in front of him and scrapping his attempt, pushing his starting grid spot down to an unimpressive ninth. Luckily for Wehrlein and Porsche, the car was strong and fast, and the team developed an incredible strategy to get him to the front.
On lap 30 after a strong push through the field, Wehrlein moved into the lead, passing Sam Bird into turn 16 with impressive force. The other Porsche-powered racer, Andretti’s Jake Dennis followed Wehrlein’s run through the grid from his 11th starting position to find second place at the checkered flag, reversing the pair’s finishing positions from the Mexico City E-Prix a few weeks ago. Dennis put on a strong fight to overtake Wehrlein for the win, but Pascal held him off for the final battle to the flag.
Dennis currently leads the Formula E standings over Wehrlein by a single point, 44 to 43. After two rounds of the 2023 Formula E season, Porsche has scored a 1-2 powertrain victory in either. Dennis’ Andretti teammate Andre Lotterer finished down in 9th, scoring a couple points for the team, while Porsche factory driver Antonio Felix da Costa suffered tremendously and could do no better than 18th a lap off his teammate.