Pascal Wehrlein scores Formula E double sweep in Saudi Arabia

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Wehrlein scores Formula E double sweepAnadolu Agency – Getty Images

Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team driver Pascal Wehrlein turned the street circuit of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia into his own playground, winning both rounds of the ABB FIA Formula 1 double weekend in the spotlight .

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

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

The wins, coupled with his runner-up finish at the season opener in Mexico City on Jan. 14, leave Wehrlein leading in points for the season in the all-electric open-wheel series after three of the scheduled 16 rounds. Dennis, who won in Mexico, 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 Sunday.

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

abb formula e championship in saudi arabia

Jake Dennis finished second in a row and left Saudi Arabia second in the standings, four points behind Pascal Wehrlein.Anadolu Agency – Getty Images

“I would say (Saturday) was a bit more exciting because I had more cars to overtake. Today was not easy and I would say even a bit more difficult. Obviously the others learned from yesterday, Sam Bird had a lot of energy at the end but he still had to go into his Attack mode which probably saved us a bit but you can clearly see they took a step forward today and that has made things a little more difficult.

The races were the Middle East debut for Gen 3 Formula E racers. Next up is round four at the Hyderabad, India E-Prix on February 11.

The series makes its only U.S. stopover in Portland, Oregon on June 24.

“You know you’re having a really good season when you’re a little disappointed with P2,” Dennis said. “We just didn’t have a good start, Pascal had a good one and we had a bad one – and then there was so much work to do once I passed (Sébastien) Buemi. But great work from the boys, we had such an efficient power unit again, once I cleared Buemi I could move forward pretty quickly, but at this point Pascal was too far to beat He can have this one , but we’re going to go out to India and try to take the championship lead from him.

Results

Formula E in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia

abb formula e championship in saudi arabia

Pascal Wehrlein celebrates his victory on Saturday evening in Saudi Arabia.Anadolu Agency – Getty Images

2nd round

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

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

  3. Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing, +3.526

  4. Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, +6.048

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

  6. Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing. +7.614

  7. Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Penske, +12.394

  8. Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +15.187

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

  10. Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, +17.914

  11. Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, +26.307

  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

abb formula e championship in saudi arabia

Pascal Wehrlein completed the sweep on Sunday.Anadolu Agency – Getty Images

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. René’ Race, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +4.554

  4. Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing, +4.851

  5. Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, +10.869

  6. Sebastien Buemi, Envision Racing, +10.947

  7. Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing, +11.088

  8. Sacha Fenestraz, Nissan Formula E Team, +12.409

  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, +15.229

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

  13. Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing. +17.038

  14. Norman Nato, Nissan Formula E Team, +19.569

  15. Lucas Di Grassi, Mahindra Racing, +20.796

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

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

  18. Kelvin Van Der Linde, ABT Cupra Formula E Team, +25.291

  19. Maximillian Gunther, Tacing Maserati MSG, +27.137

  20. Stoffel Vandoorne, DS Penske, +37.572

  21. Oliver Rowland, Mahindra Racing, DNF

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

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