– Preview: Monaco E-Prix, 6 May, round 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
– The innovative electric racing series heads into the second half of the season in the Principality on the Côte d’Azur.
– At the halfway mark, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team and Pascal Wehrlein (GER) lead the teams’ and drivers’ classification.
– The race on the world-famous street circuit is one of the highlights on the Formula E calendar.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship heads into the second half of the season with the most prestigious race of the year. On 6 May, the Monaco E-Prix puts the innovative electric racing series in the spotlight of the motor racing world. The legendary Grand Prix circuit in the Principality on the Côte d’Azur throws very special challenges at the teams and drivers.
Set against the picture-postcard backdrop of sun, sea and palm trees, four Porsche 99X Electric go hunting for world championship points. Two of the Weissach-developed electric vehicles are fielded by the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team with the current championship leader Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa (POR). Porsche’s customer team Avalanche Andretti also tackles the prestigious race with two Porsche 99X Electric driven by Jake Dennis (GBR) and André Lotterer (GER). Thanks to victories at both night races in Diriyah as well as in Mexico City and Cape Town, the Porsche 99X Electric is the most successful Formula E car this season.
The race in the world’s most expensive square mile throws very special challenges at the 22 drivers. The spectacular labyrinth of corners, lined with concrete blocks and high fences, allows no margin for error. The roads will be closed for just one day. As soon as the colourful flower pots, parking metres and traffic signs have been removed early Saturday morning, one of the world’s most fascinating racetracks will emerge between the luxury high-rise buildings and upmarket boutiques. There are virtually no run-off zones and to turn a perfect lap in the world’s fastest city traffic, drivers must use every inch of the track. Teams and drivers get only two short free practices to finalise the setup of the new Gen3 cars at the first outing in Monaco. In the qualifying session, the hunt for pole position then begins through legendary corners like Sainte Dévote, Casino and Mirabeau as well as the spectacular tunnel passage at the harbour.
The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team starts the second half of the season as the leader of the teams’ and drivers’ championship. At the top of the leaderboard is Pascal Wehrlein. After eight of 16 races, he leads with 100 points, followed by Nick Cassidy (NZL/96) and Jean-Éric Vergne (FRA/81). Jake Dennis ranks fourth with 80 points, António Félix da Costa lies sixth with 68 points, with André Lotterer (23) currently in P13. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team leads the teams’ classification with 168 points ahead of Envision Racing (153) and Jaguar (138). Avalanche Andretti occupies fifth place with 103 points.
Q&A on the Monaco E-Prix
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E
How do you assess the current situation with the competition in Formula E and what are the special challenges in Monaco?
« We’re all still on a learning curve with the Gen3 cars. Each team will continue to make progress over the coming weeks and months. We can’t let up. We need to create the conditions for us to remain competitive and be at the front. We’re all constantly learning. The balance of power can shift from race to race. In Monaco, everything happens in one day, from the free practice to the race. That means we have to be even better prepared and not make any mistakes. »
What is your summary after eight races?
« Coming to Monaco after the first half of the season as the leader of the team and driver standings is a very special motivation for us all. We’re very pleased with that. We’ve shown that we’re capable of winning on a wide variety of tracks, and we learnt a lot on the racetracks where we weren’t as strong. We now have to piece all this knowledge together and implement it in the races in the second half of the season. »
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13) :
You won in Monaco in 2021. How do you feel about returning with Porsche now?
« We’re facing one of the coolest races of the year, no question about it. Formula E is a great fit for Monaco and this circuit. We deliver spectacular races with constant changes in the lead – exactly what the fans love. I’ve been lucky enough to win in Monaco before. So, to come back now as a Porsche factory driver with this team feels fantastic. »
What so fascinating about this race?
« Every lap is a pleasure on this historic racetrack. We’re all very lucky to have the opportunity to race here every year in Formula E. What I like so much about Monaco is the rich history of the race. On top of that, there are numerous big names who have immortalised themselves on the winners’ list here. I find all of this incredibly fascinating. »
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94)
What are the special challenges for you in Monaco and how well does the Grand Prix circuit suit Formula E?
« For me, this is one of the coolest tracks in motorsport. It’s perfect for Formula E and the races we contest. It’s great for overtaking and the speed is good, too. On our street circuits, we don’t usually have much room and we have to be careful not to make a mistake – and not only in the first corner after the start. That’s also the case in Monaco. The whole race is a challenge. Every driver, it seems, makes an extra special effort. After all, Monaco is a race everyone wants to win. »
In Monaco, everything happens in one day. What does that mean for the drivers and the team?
« For us all, it’s a long day that starts early and finishes late. With this tight schedule, there’s very little time to study data extensively. That takes some adjustment. You actually have to arrive at the track in Monaco with everything already sorted. »
The circuit
The world-famous Grand Prix circuit features 19 corners and is 3.337 kilometres long. It has virtually no run-off zones, instead, there are walls and barriers. The storied street course requires efficient energy management and total concentration from start to finish. With its combination of very tight corners and fast passages, the Circuit de Monaco is the perfect venue for the special requirements of Formula E.
Viktoria Wohlrapp,