Pascal Wehrlein winner of the Diriyah E-Prix, Porsche impresses

An almost identical remake of the Mexico E-Prix. Second in Mexico, Pascal Wehrlein won in Race 1 of the Diriyah E-Prix ahead of Jake Dennis… winner in the Mexican capital two weeks ago! The German, who started 9th, made a spectacular comeback during the event to win his second race in Formula E. The podium is completed by Sam Bird, who returns to the Top 3 for his 100th race in the electric championship.

⚡ @PWEHRLEIN WINS IN DIRIYAH! #DiriyahEPrice pic.twitter.com/l9LuBJxmJ1

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) January 27, 2023

Hectic start and tricky Attack Mode

The start of the Diriyah E-Prix is ​​more eventful than that in Mexico two weeks ago. Started in pole position, Sébastien Buemi prend un excellent départ reste en tête au premier virage. Dans le peloton, Mitch Evans sort large et déporte René Rast à l’extérieur de la piste. En revenant sur la trajectoire, les deux monoplaces provoquent un ralentissement dans le 2e virage, ce qui piège Antonio Félix da Costa. Le Portugais percute l’arrière d’une Mahindra et se retrouve bloqué dans le mur. La voiture de sécurité est déployée, histoire de dégager l’aileron avant de la Porsche. Mitch Evans écope de 5 secondes de pénalité pour sa manoeuvre au départ.

At the restart, Sébastien Buemi's Envision remained in the lead. Sam Bird, very fast in the first laps, quickly took over Jake Hughes for 2nd place. The Briton, who is also competing in his 100th race in Formula E, threatens the Swiss for the lead of the race. It will only take a few laps for the Jaguar driver to take control of the E-Prix, with a great attack on the inside of turn 18 on lap 8.

Brilliant Bird!@SamBirdOfficial with a nice move to get past @Sebastien_buemi and into the lead! 💨#DiriyahEPrice

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) January 27, 2023

With a clear track, Sam Bird takes off ahead of Sébastien Buemi and Jake Hughes, while the first Attack Mode is triggered. Located outside the chicane at turn 18, the detection zone traps a few drivers including Sacha Fenestraz. The Frenchman damages his front wing while trying to pass through the doors to activate his Attack Mode.

Fantastic comeback from Wehrlein and Dennis

In the peloton, the Porsche-powered drivers, impressive during the inaugural race in Mexico, proved their efficiency in Diriyah by gradually moving towards the front. Pascal Wehrlein, who started 9th, found himself 3rd at mid-race, overtaking his opponents when they passed through the Attack Mode zone, just like championship leader Jake Dennis, who gained 6 positions in the first part of race.

Pascal Wehrlein, unleashed, took advantage of Sébastien Buemi's passage through the detection zone to overtake the Swiss, who was unable to regain his place despite using his Attack Mode. With a Porsche that is faster, but also more economical than his opponents, the German puts pressure on leader Sam Bird. After several laps stuck to the rear wing of the Jaguar, the ex-driver of Formula 1 attempts a first attack at turn 18, but braking too late forces him to stay behind the English driver. 

Another double for Porsche engines

Finally, the opening came on lap 31: Wehrlein attempted the same attack on Bird at turn 18, this time with success. Without delay, the German escapes in front of the Briton... who is immediately put under pressure by Jake Dennis, also at a frantic pace! Excited, the winner of the Mexico E-Prix gets the better of the Jaguar on the 35th lap.

the moment @PWehrlein took the lead of the #DiriyahEPrice! 🤩

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) January 27, 2023

Two Porsche-powered single-seaters in the first two places, an almost perfect copy and paste of the inaugural round in Mexico (won by Dennis, with Wehrlein 2nd). The two men take off in the championship, still to the advantage of Jake Dennis who remains leader by one point ahead of Pascal Wehrlein.

The ranking of the Diriyah 1 E-Prix

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