A lights-to-flag win and an Olympic-winner test drive were just a couple of highlights from the 2024 Formula E curtain-raiser.
The tenth season of the FIA Formula E World Championship kicked-off last Saturday in Mexico City, and the pre-race and pre-season hype did not leave us disappointed. In what is perhaps the most unpredictable motorsport series in the world right now, FE’s season-opener gave us a few interesting hints on what we could expect across the season.
1. Porsche’s dominance spells improvement for 24
Pascal Wehrlein produced a thoroughly commanding performance, converting his pole position into a lights-to-flag victory. The German saw a promising title challenge fall away towards the end of 2023, with qualifying results a huge factor. With an early statement from both the team and driver, can Wehrlein show that 2024 might be his year?
A few days after the race, LWOS asked Wehrlein if he felt that if Porsche aim to assert themselves over Andretti [2023 Drivers’ Champion with Jake Dennis at the wheel], who share the team’s powertrains.
“I think it’s better to have a Porsche winning than another car,” said Wehrlein. “We are working closely together with Andretti, sharing information and data to make our car quicker and to make them strong. But on the other side, we obviously want to win the Drivers and Teams Championships.”
2. Champion’s first day back sees a struggle
In qualifying, an uncharacteristic mistake from reigning Champion Jake Dennis saw the Englishman start a lowly 14th. Dennis did make-up five places on the first lap, but was unable to gain on any further rivals, and finished 9th. Dennis’ win in Mexico City a year ago seemed a long way away, with the Andretti team hoping for a better result in Diriyah in a weeks’ time.
3. Jaguar’s Kiwis look set for a close inter-team rivalry
The New Zealand pair of Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy – who both ran Dennis close in ’23 – are now team-mates, with Cassidy joining Evans at Jaguar. It was Cassidy who started strongest, rounding-off the podium in 3rd, with Evans leading home a train of cars in 5th, some 11 seconds off his new compatriot team-mate. Given both drivers’ strong seasons last time out, it may be the closest rivalry within a team this season.
4. A forgettable Envision return for Frijns
Dutchman Robin Frijns has returned to 2023 Teams Champions Envision Racing after one season with ABT Cupra. However, it would be a forgettable race for Frijns after showing much promise in qualifying. Looking good for a high grid position, Frijns made a mistake in the duals, leaving him starting 7th. A technical failure at the start would see him lose ten places, and then crashed out on lap 9 whilst making his way back up through the field.
5. Fast runner, fast car
Olympic sprinting hero Usain Bolt was in attendance for the race, and got the opportunity to drive the GENBETA Formula E car, which broke the official indoor land speed record before the London E-Prix in July 2023. After coaching from Jake Dennis and former F1 star David Coulthard, Bolt completed a lap of the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, saying afterwards:
“The GENBETA race car is like a rocket ship on wheels. Getting the chance to drive it was a mind-blowing experience. The power from the start was such a surprise and the adrenaline you got is on a different level, easily. Driving the GENBETA was like nothing I’ve experienced before. I was told that as soon as you drive, you don’t want to stop or get out and they were right. I would do it every day if I could. If I get more time, I will definitely go faster.”
