Formula E Preview: Series set for return to Saudi
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship heads back to Diriyah, Saudi Arabia this weekend for Rounds 2 and 3 of Season 9.
The double-header in Diriyah has typically been the opening weekend of the season but this year, the 22 drivers head to the desert off the back of an intense start to the campaign in Mexico.
Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis produced an energy management masterclass to win the first race of Formula E’s Gen3 era, finishing in front of Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein and Mahindra Racing’s Lucas Di Grassi.
Saudi has been a staple of the Formula E calendar since the 2018/19 season, and the tight, narrow circuit always provides lots of drama, most notably Alex Lynn’ horror crash in 2021.
It was Mercedes’ Nyck De Vries and ROKiT Venturi’s Edoardo Mortara that claimed the wins last time out, and with Mercedes having left the Championship and with Mortara now representing Maserati MSG Racing, this weekend is completely open.
One driver that will be hoping to continue his great start to the campaign is Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis, who secured the first win of Formula E’s Gen3 era.
The Brit finds himself top of the Championship, albeit after one race, but speaking after the win in Mexico, Dennis already has one eye on Saudi.
“My team and I have such a good relationship together,” he said. “We just work so well. It didn’t look like it was happening in qualifying, we turned it round, made some small adjustments for the race and absolutely nailed it. Big kudos to my guys, this is a small repayment to them and hope to have more success because Saudi isn’t that far away.”
It was also a successful debut for Lucas Di Grassi, who steered his way to a third-place finish for Mahindra Racing.
The Former World Champion holds the record for the most points won in the history of the Championship, and the Brazilian will be looking to add to that tally once again in Diriyah.
Di Grassi said: “What happened was like a Mexican miracle. To be on pole and to be on the podium and going home with 18 points after a tough beginning to the season is a testimony to the hard work the team are putting in to make the car the best we can. I gave it my all today to try and make the team proud.
“I’m very happy to leave here with this result, it feels like a victory to us. But this is just the beginning. We need more consistent results and we have got to work hard for this.”
