– Race report: Rome E-Prix, Race 14 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
– Pascal Wehrlein (GER) finishes seventh in the Porsche 99X Electric and scores points for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.
– António Félix da Costa (POR) leaves Rome empty-handed.
– The Porsche customer team Avalanche Andretti clinches its second win of the season with the Porsche 99X Electric.
– The season finale with races 15 and 16 will be held in London on 29 and 30 July.
In the second race of the Rome E-Prix, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has kept its title chances alive in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. On the challenging street circuit around the Obelisco di Marconi, Pascal Wehrlein finished seventh at the wheel of his Porsche 99X Electric on Sunday. His teammate António Félix da Costa took the flag in twelfth. The bid for the title goes down to the wire at the final doubleheader event in London on 29 and 30 July.
The title hopes for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team remain intact. The squad from Weissach heads to the final races of this year’s ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in the Docklands of East London ranking second with 239 points behind the leading team Envision Racing (253). Jaguar is third (228) followed by the Porsche customer team Avalanche Andretti (218).
The racing outfit of the American motorsport legend Michael Andretti was the big winner at the Formula E event in Rome. At the wheel of his Porsche 99X Electric, Jake Dennis (GBR) brought home the second win of the season for the team and advanced to the top of the drivers’ standings with 195 points ahead of New Zealander Nick Cassidy (171) and Mitch Evans (151). Pascal Wehrlein (146), the winner of three races this season, ranks fourth. Antonio Félix da Costa (93) lies seventh, with André Lotterer (GER/23) in 17th.
Race 14
Pascal Wehrlein headed into the race on the demanding street circuit in the historic setting of the Eternal City from P15 at the wheel of his Porsche 99X Electric. Although he slightly damaged his car at the tail-end of an accident involving the leading group, he put in a strong drive to finish seventh and still has an outside chance of winning the title. In temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius and despite several incidents, António Félix da Costa battled his way into the points on the demanding track from P10. Due to a time penalty, he ultimately took the flag in twelfth.
Comments on the Rome E-Prix, Race 14
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: « That was another tough day of racing in Rome. After a disappointing qualifying, our drivers put in a strong performance and worked their way into the points relatively early. António lost places due to some incidents and dropped out of the points after being handed a five-second penalty. Pascal impressed with his spirited drive and earned six critical points for the team. Everything is still open in the team championship. We head to London feeling highly motivated and will make a bid for the title. »
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): « What a disappointing weekend. Again our qualifying pace wasn’t as good as in free practice. In the race, we managed to advance to seventh place, despite a few incidents. In the last laps, we lacked a bit of power and I couldn’t do any more. The team championship is still open, but we have to be realistic about our chances in the drivers’ championship. Nevertheless, we’re keen to wrap up the season well in London. To do that, however, we have to improve our qualifying performance. »
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): « Another difficult day for us. After qualifying in tenth, we knew it wouldn’t be easy to make up positions. Still, we did a good job fighting our way up the order – only to have some situations cost me positions. There was no way I could catch up after that. The team did a great job after the accident on Saturday. They put a perfect car on the track for me from the first lap. It’s just a shame that more wasn’t possible today. »
Viktoria Wohlrapp,