2024 Formula E Mexico City E-Prix | 5 talking points

Wehrlein makes another fast start

Last year, Pascal Wehrlein looked on course to claim his first Formula E title after building a decent points gap in the opening rounds, only to find his bid crumbling in the second half of the season. This time, in the sophomore year for the series’ Gen3 cars, the ex-Formula 1 driver will be determined not to allow the same slip twice.

He began his 2024 campaign in perfect fashion with a commanding victory from pole position, to record his second win in three years in Mexico. Last January, the Porsche factory driver played second fiddle to Jake Dennis in the customer Andretti team, but this time Wehrlein always held the upper hand. He only lost the lead briefly when he took a dose of Attack Mode power boost during a Full Course Yellow, but soon hit the front again to manage a comfortable win. Although that’s not how he saw it.

“It was a tough race because we were leading most of it and that’s not so efficient for energy – but every lap was like a qualifying lap, trying to maximise speed,” said the German. “I saw a small mistake behind me which created a small gap, and from then I think it was pretty controlled. Thanks a lot to my team and thanks to all the fans here, it’s always great to be here in Mexico; it’s a great atmosphere. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.”

Technical investigations cast a cloud

But Wehrlein’s joy was almost ripped away from him by a long post-race technical investigation into his car. It was said his Porsche team had “not respected the homologated primary throttle pedal map” – which appeared to be an allusion to an alleged use of a launch control system. Wehrlein and Porsche faced a nervous wait of four hours before it was announced no conclusive evidence had been found that anything untoward had been in use, and that there would be no further action. But the episode can be taken as a warning to all teams that any hint of sharp practice in this FIA world championship will not be taken lightly as the season progresses.

A good start for Jaguar

After Porsche grabbed an early advantage in the opening rounds last term, the Jaguar-powered drivers hit back to largely dominate the second half of the season. This time, although Werhlein had things mostly his own way, once again the Jaguar charge was strong. This was a disappointing and processional start to the season, yet that tends to be the case with Formula E in Mexico. But the form bodes well for another ultra-competitive season as the series moves on to its traditional street tracks, and that a repeat pattern from the excellent 2023 campaign could be on the cards.

Sébastien Buemi finished runner-up for Jaguar customer team Envision Racing, ahead of former team-mate Nick Cassidy, who scored a podium on his debut for the Jaguar works squad. Maserati MSG’s Maximilian Günther beat the other factory Jaguar of Mitch Evans to fourth, Evans complaining of a steering problem. But three Jaguar cars in the top five suggests the British manufacturer might still hold the upper hand.

“I’ve had four podiums here now,” said the experienced Buemi. “They’re now calling me the veteran. It was a smooth race. Qualifying was the key point really. I know it’s quite difficult to pass here, but we’ve had a clean race.”

Buemi knew Wehrlein had a technical cloud hanging over his head during the race. “Pascal was fast, but I heard he was under investigation, so I decided to stick to P2, and if it becomes something more, then I’ll be happy with that.” It didn’t, as it turned out. But the Swiss should still be satisfied with a runner-up finish from the opener.

As for new works Jaguar driver Cassidy, he said: “It’s the start of a really nice new chapter. Hopefully this is the start of something cool. I think the grid can definitely challenge Pascal moving forward.”

Low-key start for Dennis’s title defence

Reigning world champion Dennis kicked off his crowning campaign this time last year with a resounding victory in Mexico. But qualifying trouble that resulted in a mistake left him playing a bit-part this weekend, for a less than auspicious start to his title defence.

The Briton started 14^th and finished ninth, on a version of the Mexican Grand Prix track that is tough for these Formula E cars to overtake on. The Andretti cars did show good pace though, with lap times to compete with the leaders for much of the race, although both drivers found themselves eventually caught up in the train caused by a struggling Mitch Evans.

More hard-luck stories

The only interruption to the race was a single full course yellow, caused on lap nine when Robin Frijns – on his first race back with Envision – found himself off line and in the wall on the exit of the Foro Sol stadium section.

In stark contrast to Wehrlein, Porsche team-mate António Félix da Costa had a miserable day. He was out with damaged suspension on lap three following contact with Abt Cupra driver Nico Müller.

At least da Costa lasted longer than Formula E veteran Lucas di Grassi. Brake problems ended the Brazilian’s first race back with Abt on lap one.

Season Ten continues in two weekends’ time on the streets of Diriyah in Saudi Arabia, for a double-header round on 26^th & 27^th January.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.