Formula E: Cassidy bounces back from Championship heartache with final win of Season 9
Envision’s Nick Cassidy responded to his World Championship heartache by winning the final race of Season 9 at London’s ExCel circuit.
Cassidy had all but handed the World Championship to Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis on the Saturday after damage to his front brought his race to a premature end, meaning Dennis only needed a third-place finish to secure the title.
Dennis eventually claimed second-place and the Championship, becoming the first Brit to win the Formula E title and the first World Champion of Formula E’s Gen3 era.
Following the disappointment of Saturday, however, Cassidy conquered the wet conditions, leading from lights to flag to land his fourth win of the season. The victory also secured the first Teams’ World Championship for Envision Racing.
In the end, Cassidy pipped his compatriot Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing to the top spot, with the newly crowned World Champion Jake Dennis rounding out the podium positions. Nissan’s Norman Nato claimed a season-best fourth place finish, coming in ahead of outgoing World Champion Stoffel Vandoorne of DS Penske. The rest of the top ten consisted of Cassidy’s teammate Seb Buemi, Jaguar’s Sam Bird, ABT Cupra’s Nico Mueller, NIO’s Dan Ticktum and Porsche’s Pascal Werhlein.
That final round of Season 9 left Envision Racing the Teams’ World Champions – their first title, with a prior best of third. They beat out the factory Jaguar TCS Racing team by 12 points. Porsche customers Avalanche Andretti also edged the factory TAG Heuer Porsche team to third, by 10 points.
Dennis wound up 30 points clear of Cassidy in the Drivers’ running, with Evans third and Wehrlein fourth.
Nick Cassidy, Envision Racing, said: “It’s mixed emotions but ultimately I’m very happy because today was a difficult day for me mostly because I didn’t sleep well last night, I arrived late – but I did the business so I’m proud. The team have been absolutely incredible. They’re an incredible bunch of people and they work so hard. Of course every team does but these guys have been close on so many occasions and I think that just shows how strong they have been in this championship, and to finally get it done for them I am super super happy.”
Jake Dennis, Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team, said: “We’re beating our own records right now. To get the podium at the end of the day was special in such difficult conditions with the wet and dry sections – but we managed to do it, keep it out of the wall and we were pretty quick, but we needed to be. I think we needed a clean race, try and get that podium, celebrate now with everyone and really try and let it all sink in.
“I have to thank these guys, all of them [the team]. They’ve done so much hard work not just this year but also last year. It’s been such a team effort and we scored so many wins, so many pole positions and so many podiums. I get to celebrate with them together so I’m looking forward to that, call it a season and come back next year. I’ll be hungover tomorrow! I don’t know what my drink of choice will be but there will be one.”
