Formula E: Jake Dennis storms to victory at opening race of new season in Mexico

Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis obtained his title problem off to the right begin in Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship as he claimed victory at the 2023 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix.

Dennis is wanting to turn out to be the primary Brit to win the all-electric World Championship and drove a close to flawless race at the long-lasting Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit.

The race noticed the debut of the GEN3 – the world’s most sustainable racing automobile – as a 40,000-capacity crowd obtained a glimpse into the longer term of electrical automobility. It additionally noticed different modifications to the format of the championship together with the introduction of laps, reasonably than the normal timed race, and the elimination of FANBOOST.

But Dennis remained unphased and continued what has been an outstanding few races for the 27-year-old persevering with from the tip of final season.

“The fans here have been sensational”, he mentioned taking in the ambiance post-race. “In that final lap I could really hear them cheering. To start on the front row and then win by that much, with a Porsche one-two – big shout out to my team.

“It was such a physical race. These cars are so hard to drive physically and with the lower grip as well, it makes everything more challenging. But it’s even more rewarding, especially when you win by five seconds.

“My team and I have such a good relationship together. We just work so well. It didn’t look like it was happening in qualifying, we turned it round, made some small adjustments for the race and absolutely nailed it. Big kudos to my guys, this is a small repayment to them and we hope to have more success because Saudi isn’t that far away. Time for some tequila with the team, an incredible race!”

Dennis climbed from second on the beginning grid to win the race forward of TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team driver Pascal Wehrlein who began from sixth to end second and Mahindra Racing’s Lucas di Grassi who slipped from Julius Baer Pole Position to end third.

The Andretti driver made what can be the race-winning transfer on Lap 12, with the Brit taking benefit of an opening left by di Grassi. From there, Dennis stretched his lead, and thru three Safety Car intervals, he was in a position to run away with the race lead, finally heading dwelling Wehrlein by an enormous seven seconds.

Last 12 months’s winner in Mexico, Wehrlein pushed to an eventual 11-second margin on third-placed di Grassi, having clambered up from sixth on the grid. Both drive Porsche-powered automobiles, with the German producer ending up with 4 of their powertrains in the highest ten.

Although Di Grassi began in pole, he discovered himself on the defensive getting into the ultimate third of the race and it took all of the Brazilian’s guile to see off the attentions of NEOM McLaren Formula E Team’s Jake Hughes over the closing phases.

Eventually, the rookie can be preoccupied with Lotterer looming in his mirrors, relieving the strain on di Grassi. Lotterer, who moved to the Porsche-powered Andretti staff in the off-season, went previous Hughes’ McLaren on the within at the hairpin on the ultimate lap.

Fifth was no disappointment for Hughes on debut; the rookie greater than impressing ever since he took the McLaren seat at testing in Valencia. He headed dwelling a resurgent Sebastien Buemi – the Swiss having moved from Nissan to Envision Racing over the winter.

Season 6 champion António Félix da Costa added to Porsche’s tally with seventh spot on the day, combating his approach up by way of the factors positions late-race with a belated ATTACK MODE.

Mitch Evans quietly claimed factors and eighth for Jaguar TCS Racing, Nick Cassidy made it two Envision Racing automobiles in the factors with ninth, whereas reigning champion Stoffel Vandoorne might solely steer his DS PENSKE to a single level from 14th on the grid.

Rounds 2 and three of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship happen in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday 27 January and Saturday 28 January.