– Porsche heads to the London double-header finale as manufacturers’ leader
– Highly efficient Porsche 99X Electric most successful car of the season
– António Félix da Costa and the works team match two records
Saving the best till last: All title decisions will go down to the wire at the Formula E season finale in London on 20 and 21 July – for the drivers, the teams and the manufacturers. Porsche could sweep the title pool in all categories and may even set new records.
Porsche heads to the last two races of the season on the spectacular ExCel Circuit in East London’s historic Docklands leading the manufacturers’ standings – not least thanks to the seven victories achieved by the highly efficient Porsche 99X Electric this season. The electric racing car from Weissach has won more races this year than any other vehicle. This season’s most victorious driver also comes from Porsche: António Félix da Costa won four races, the last three in succession. With this, he has matched his record-winning streak from 2019.
Second place for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team in the teams’ classification and third – though tied on points with second place – for the Porsche works driver Pascal Wehrlein in the drivers’ category puts them both within striking distance of taking home the World Championship titles. What makes the challenge at the season finale so special is that the ExCel Circuit is the only racetrack in the world featuring an indoor/outdoor layout.
The points earned by Porsche’s customer team Andretti Formula E also count in the bid for the manufacturers’ trophy. Reigning World Champion Jake Dennis finished on the podium at the ExCel Centre twice last season. Alongside the two Porsche works drivers, he also has an outsider chance of winning the drivers’ championship.
Comments ahead of the London E-Prix
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: « Even before London, we can say it’s been a very successful season. We’re heading to the final races feeling highly motivated and are determined to secure the title in all three classifications. The situation looks promising: António is clearly on a roll, having won four of the last five races. We’re leading the manufacturers’ trophy and have recently shaved off more than half our deficit in the drivers’ and teams’ championships. In the past, we’ve not always achieved the best results in London, but particularly this season we’ve shown that we’re good for top results on any type of track. Our TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has won six races so far and we’ve matched the previous record of the Renault e.dams team from season 3. We aim to wrap up the year as the sole record holder. Our main priority in London, however, is to do our best and take home one or two trophies. »
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): « In Portland, we closed the gap to the drivers’ championship leader. This puts us in the running to win the title outright in London. The goal for London is to have a clean weekend and to bring home as many titles as possible with a great performance. The fact that I was competitive in Portland, even though the front wing flew off early in the race, shows just how strong our package is. London is the narrowest track on the calendar, a typical street circuit with a completely different track characteristic to the last races. Spectators will also witness a totally different race because saving energy is less important. We’re ready for this and are travelling to the finale well-prepared. »
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): « I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to turn things around after a difficult start to the season. Four wins from the last five races, three of them in a row – not many people imagined we could achieve such a winning streak on the home straight of the season. It’s all about team-work. I’m proud to be part of this team. We work really well together; everyone knows what I need as a driver to perform well. All decisions will go down to the wire in London. But it’s not just about me. Pascal has a decent chance of becoming the drivers’ world champion and I’ll do my very best to support him in every possible way. Racing in England is always great. The fans’ enthusiasm is hugely inspiring. I love London and the circuit and I’m looking forward to a wonderful finale with thrilling racing. »
ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – standings after 14 of 16 races
Drivers’ classification : 1. Nick Cassidy (NZL), 167 points ; 2. Mitch Evans (NZL), 155 points ; 3. Pascal Wehrlein (GER), 155 points ; 4. António Félix da Costa (POR), 134 points… 7. Jake Dennis (GBR), 122 points… 12. Norman Nato (FRA), 46 points…
Teams’ classification : 1. Jaguar TCS Racing, 322 points ; 2. TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, 289 points… 4. Andretti Formula E, 168 points…
Manufacturers’ Trophy : 1. Porsche, 407 points ; 2. Jaguar, 388 points ; 3. Stellantis, 247 points…
Yannick Bitzer