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Formula E: Diriyah E-Prix Preview, Predictions and How to Watch

RIYADH STREET CIRCUIT, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 29: Nyck de Vries (NLD), Mercedes Benz EQ, EQ Silver Arrow 02 leads at the start during the Diriyah ePrix II at Riyadh Street Circuit on Saturday January 29, 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)

Formula E is ready for the Diriyah E-Prix, the first double header of Season 9 and the second race weekend of the year.

After the Mexico City E-Prix, the season opener of 2023, Formula E moves to Saudi Arabia for the second and third rounds of the championship. This weekend will be fundamental for understanding the gap between the teams and the drivers, after a first race that saw the complete domination of Porsche’s motorized teams.

A new driver will make his debut in Formula E this weekend: Kelvin van der Linde. The South African driver is going to race for ABT CUPRA, replacing the injured Robin Frijns, who broke his wrist during the Mexico City E-Prix.

The Circuit – Diriyah E-Prix

Both races will be held on the Diriyah Street Circuit, which features 21 turns in 2.495 kilometers. The layout is challenging for the drivers, thanks to a first technical sector and a series of direction changes, but also for the teams, being one of the hardest circuits for the energy strategy. The atmosphere in Diriyah is going to be excellent with the track passing by the walls of the city – considered UNESCO patrimony – and the two E-Prix taking place at night.

Current Standings

Drivers’ Championship

After only one E-Prix, the standings are nearly useless, with too many rounds still to race. But if Jake Dennis will be able to score a decent amount of points, he could earn an important advantage over the rest of the grid.

  1. Jake Dennis – 26 points
  2. Pascal Wehrlein – 18
  3. Lucas Di Grassi – 18
  4. Andrè Lotterer – 12
  5. Jake Hughes – 10

Teams’ Championship

Dennis and Lotterer collected important points for Avalanche Andretti in Mexico City, creating a small gap between the American team and the other competitors. However, Tag Heuer Porsche is only 14 points behind Andretti, and the doubleheader gives several teams the chance to recover.

  1. Avalanche Andretti – 38 points
  2. Tag Heuer Porsche – 24 points
  3. Mahindra Racing – 18 points
  4. Neom McLaren – 10 points
  5. Envision Racing – 10 points

Race Predictions

The 2022 Diriyah E-Prix saw the triumph of Nyck de Vries at the end of the first race and the second win of the weekend going to Edoardo Mortara. De Vries will start his journey in Formula 1 in March, so he won’t be back to repeat. Meanwhile, after a forgettable debut in Mexico City, Mortara has to cope with Maserati’s issues, so it seems improbable to see him on the podium in Diriyah. The real favorite for the win is Jake Dennis, who dominated the first E-Prix of 2023, but Porsche’s lineup should be a strong contender.

  1. Jake Dennis
  2. Pascal Wehrlein
  3. Jake Hughes

How to Watch the Diriyah E-Prix (EDT)

Featured Image Credit: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images

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