Pink Pig Porsche delivers Mueller’s maiden Formula E win in Berlin

Nico Mueller has finally landed his first Formula E victory, and he could scarcely have picked a better stage on which to do it.

Driving for Porsche in Berlin, the Swiss racer became the all-electric series’ 25th different winner in spectacular fashion, managing his energy with cool-headed precision before disappearing up the road to take the chequered flag a hefty 4.7 seconds clear of the field.

It has been a long time coming. Mueller’s breakthrough arrived at the 69th attempt, and it came in front of the Porsche faithful at the manufacturer’s home E-Prix, with his 99X Electric resplendent in a one-off ‘Pink Pig’ livery to mark the 75th anniversary of Porsche Motorsport. For the German marque, and for a driver who has had to bide his time, it was a near-perfect afternoon.

“I’m feeling relieved and super grateful,” Mueller said afterwards. “I still haven’t really realised what we did. It’s a special weekend. You come here knowing that a lot of important people are here and you want to make them proud, you want to make your fans proud, you want to make sure that this livery adds to its history a little bit.

“To be able to do it in the way we did today just makes me very proud and grateful for the opportunity. When you get to represent Porsche, it is already a big step in your career, and to finally make it happen in the 69th attempt, and to win for them in Berlin on the 75th anniversary of Porsche Motorsport, is pretty sick.”

Asked whether he might be tempted to keep the pink colours on the car for superstition’s sake, Mueller smiled but shook his head. He suspects Porsche has more theatre lined up before the season is out, and in any case the racing suit itself is destined for a more personal home.

“I think they have some other cool stuff up their sleeve, but I’m going to hang up the race suit somewhere in my gym at home, and it’s going to be a good reminder of why to grind hard on days where you may be less motivated.”

The reception in the Berlin paddock was as warm as the late spring sunshine. Rivals, mechanics and fans alike were quick to acknowledge the popularity of the result, but the most heartfelt scenes were saved for the podium itself. Mueller’s wife, young son and newborn daughter had made the rare trip trackside, and the new race winner duly hoisted his boy up onto the rostrum to share the moment.

“I get goosebumps when you mention my family, because they don’t often come to the track, and this is one of the few exceptions,” Mueller admitted, before nodding in the direction of third-placed Oliver Rowland.

“I think Oliver inspired my son a little bit. He was like, ‘he always takes his daughter onto the podium, when will you take me?’ and I’m like, ‘look, a podium? No. A win? Okay.’

“I was very proud to keep my promise today, and when they were here for the first time this year.”

A maiden victory, a milestone livery, a manufacturer celebrating three-quarters of a century of motorsport, and a young son hauled onto the top step of the podium in front of a home crowd. As script-writing goes, Berlin will take some beating.