Wehrlein wins the Diriyah E-Prix 2023

Pascal Wehrlein of Porsche won both Diriyah E-Prix races, taking the overall 2023 Formula E championship lead. Porsche-powered cars dominated the action, with Jake Dennis of customer team Andretti finishing second in both races.

Porsche dominates

Porsche had a strong start to the Gen3 era of Formula E in Mexico, with Andretti's Jake Dennis winning ahead of factory driver Wehrlein. However, Mexico has long been a major manufacturing market. However, the two Diriyah races have definitely established Porsche as a frontrunner.

Wehrlein worked his way through the pack after starting tenth on the grid and was already in second place by Lap 24/39. On Lap 30, he passed Jaguar TCS Racing's Sam Bird for the lead.

Bird finished in third place (his first podium performance since winning the New York E-Prix in 2021). Dennis led the race from the 11th position on the grid. He took the fight to the line after overtaking Bird but couldn't get past Wehrlein.

McLaren's first Formula E podium

Wehrlein had a better qualifying session for the second race and started fifth, while McLaren's Jake Hughes took the pole. The race, however, turned out to be another Wehrlein vs. Dennis struggle, with a late Safety Car appearance bunching up the field once more.

Wehrlein, on the other hand, was able to hold off the competition and win his second race in a row. Bird appeared to be on track to reclaim third place, but he lost it and was unable to reclaim it after activating his Attack Mode. While attempting to pass McLaren's Rene Rast, the Jaguar driver misjudged his braking.

Despite reducing the gap, Bird was forced to settle for fourth place. Rast's third-place finish gives McLaren their first Formula E podium in only their third race of the season.

Mahindra Racing received no points

Mahindra Racing of India had a poor two races. Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Rowland finished 13th and 19th, respectively, after a tumultuous start to the first race.

Rowland was forced to quit the second race due to a puncture, while Di Grassi finished 15th.

Formula E Standings 2023

Wehrlein leads Dennis by six points in the standings. Buemi is third overall, although he is already behind Dennis by 31 points.

The Hyderabad E-Prix is next on the schedule, with Formula E making its debut in India.

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