Porsche has made a strong start to the Formula E season: At the Mexico City E-Prix, the new Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 achieved a brilliant one-two result. The Porsche customer squad Avalanche Andretti won the opening round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Mexico City with its driver Jake Dennis (GBR). For the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, the works driver Pascal Wehrlein (GER), the 2022 winner in Mexico, took the flag in second place after a spirited charge through the field.
Witnessed by 40,000 avid fans, the race marked the first outing for the spectacular third-generation (GEN3) cars at the season-opening round in the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. For Porsche, it was an outstandingly successful start to the new Formula E era: After 41 laps on the demanding circuit, four Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 finished in the top seven, with André Lotterer (GER) scoring fourth for Avalanche Andretti and António Félix da Costa (POR) crossing the finish line seventh at his first race for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the legendary Foro Sol baseball stadium, Pascal Wehrlein lined up on the grid for the opening round of season 9 in P6. Thanks to a great team strategy and the Porsche 99X Electric Gen3’s extremely efficient powertrain, he put in a strong drive, particularly in the second half of the race. Wehrlein used Attack Mode to gain ground and position himself well for the decisive phase of the race. On lap 29, he squeezed past another rival to snatch second place. His new teammate António Félix da Costa, who was a mere two-thousandths of a second short of qualifying for the duels, started his first race for Porsche from P9 and finished seventh.
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport: “What a tremendous start to the season. A one-two victory and four Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 in the top seven – that’s an outstanding result. We’ve shown that we can deliver. Now it’s about maintaining this level for as long as we can over the rest of the season. We’re delighted with this great performance. It can continue like this.”
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “That was a successful first race day of season 9. Both factory cars qualified in the top 10. In the race, Pascal quickly worked his way up the field and ended up scoring our team’s first podium result of the season. Antonio kept getting entangled in duels further back but also managed to progress. We now know where we stand on the racetrack like Mexico compared to the competition. Congratulations to our victorious customer team Avalanche Andretti. In the end, all four Porsche finished in the top seven – we can be very happy about this. It was an outstanding start to the season for Porsche.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “That was a super start to the season. I’m very grateful for the car that the team gave me for this race. Everyone has worked so hard over the last few weeks to put us in a great position for the start to the new season. After this tremendous opening round, it’s now a matter of continuing to improve in the upcoming races. Our new car still has a lot of potential. For now, though, let’s enjoy what we’ve just achieved. Everyone in the team can be proud of themselves.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): “I’m happy with my first race as a Porsche works driver. This is a banner day for Porsche. It’s fantastic to see that we have a good package. I’m new to the team so I still have a few things to get used to, but we work very well together. I’m pleased to have earned some points for Porsche on the first outing. That’s definitely a good start. The team is highly motivated and I’m certain that we’ll continue to improve.”
Next up
The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will contest rounds 2 and 3 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the Diriyah E-Prix on 27 and 28 January.