@VW Group: Pascal Wehrlein earns points again in second London Formula E race005521

Race 14

His teammate André Lotterer (GER/#36) made up nine places in race 14 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and crossed the finish line in 12th – repeating his performance from yesterday’s race. In the drivers’ classification of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Pascal Wehrlein ranks 10th after 14 of 16 races with 65 points. André Lotterer is 11th with 63 points. In the team classification, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team lies in sixth place with 128 points.

Having started the race from P21 after making a mistake in qualifying, André Lotterer worked his way up the order and gained nine positions with his Porsche 99X Electric – a remarkable feat given the lack of overtaking opportunities offered on the narrow ExCeL Circuit in the Docklands. However, despite his spirited drive, he missed out on scoring points with 12th place. His teammate Pascal Wehrlein tackled the race from P12 and, like in race 13 on Saturday, secured one point for his team after a solid performance.

99X Electric, London E-Prix, 2022, Porsche AG



Comments on the London E-Prix, Race 14

Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “In qualifying, Pascal narrowly missed out on getting into the duels. André made a mistake and had to start among the backmarkers. He then made up nine places in the race. That was a strong effort. Pascal also improved his position during the race. In the fight for P6, he became entangled in a duel that damaged his car. As a result, he couldn’t progress further up the field. We’re now focussing on the final races in Seoul. The track there is new terrain for us all. As always, we’ll prepare well and hope for a successful conclusion to the season.”
 
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “That was a tough race. You could clearly see our weak points on this racetrack. It wasn’t easy for us to overtake, and that impacted our entire race. We have to improve in certain areas, then we’ll possibly see better results again. We couldn’t do more this weekend, but we know what we need to improve on for the future.”
 
André Lotterer, Porsche works driver (#36): “I definitely could have performed better in qualifying. I even think I could’ve reached the duels. But I touched the wall and had to start from P21. Although it’s really difficult to overtake on this narrow circuit, we fought our way up the order and made up nine positions. London was a tough weekend for us. We’ll now take a good look at what we can do better for Seoul. I’m looking forward to this new destination.”

Next up

With rounds 15 and 16 at the Seoul E-Prix, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season wraps up for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team on 13 and 14 August.

Race 13

After a spirited charge through the field at the wheel of his Porsche 99X Electric, Pascal Wehrlein (GER/#94) earned points at the first round of the London E-Prix. He finished race 13 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 10th place. His teammate André Lotterer (GER/#36) took the flag in 12th place on the spectacular ExCeL Circuit, part of which runs through an exhibition hall. In the drivers’ classification of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Pascal Wehrlein ranks 10th after 13 of 16 races with 64 points. André Lotterer is 11th with 63 points. In the team classification, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team lies in sixth place with 127 points.
 
After a strong qualifying performance, André Lotterer again made it into the duels and started the race from P8. However, he was unable to make the best use of this promising grid position with his Porsche 99X Electric on the 2.141-kilometre racetrack in the Docklands of East London and earned zero points with 12th place. Hampered by grip problems, his teammate Pascal Wehrlein qualified on P18 but brought home one point for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team with 10th place after a breathtaking charge through the field. 

99X Electric, London E-Prix, 2022, Porsche AG



Comments on the London E-Prix, Race 13

Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “Our qualifying performance with André in the duels was good. And at first, everything went well in the race but he didn’t have the pace to really defend himself. As a result, we lost time and positions. Pascal had to start from P18 and struggled initially but then he drove a strong race. However, most of the time we were too late with our overtaking manoeuvres. That cost us time. We definitely need to start further up the grid tomorrow.” 
 
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “We got the most out of today. I couldn’t do more from my P18 spot on the grid. During the qualifying, I experienced problems with the balance. We tweaked a few things for the race and that worked well. At least I managed to make up eight places. So from that perspective, it was a good race, but obviously, it wasn’t quite what we’d hoped for.” 
 
André Lotterer, Porsche works driver (#36): “That was a tough race. It wasn’t too bad at first but then I fell behind. I was blocked in a couple of duels and I missed one of the Attack Modes. This cost time, which meant I couldn’t progress through the field. We didn’t have the pace today compared to the competition. We’re not too bad over one lap, but we’re not fast enough over the distance. Now let’s see what we can improve on for Sunday’s race.” 

Next up

Race 14 in London gets underway on Sunday, 31 July, at 3 pm local time (4 pm CEST). The worldwide broadcasting schedule of the Formula E event is available on: www.fiaformulae.com/watch/ways-to-watch.

The preview

Formula E turns on to the finish straight of season 8 with the London E-Prix on 30 and 31 July – marking the penultimate stop of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on its tour of the world’s metropolitan cities. The Docklands of East London set the historic backdrop for races 13 and 14 of the innovative electric racing series. The doubleheader event is contested on a spectacular racetrack at the ExCel Circuit on the Thames – with 22 drivers going head to head in gripping battles through the indoor exhibition hall and outside. 

The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team fields two Porsche 99X Electric racers at the London E-Prix with Porsche works drivers André Lotterer (GER/No. 36) and Pascal Wehrlein (GER/No. 94). While the fortnightly rhythm poses a big challenge, Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E, says: “As always, we’re working in a systematic and meticulous way. Even though the schedule is tight, our preparations are going according to plan.”

In the drivers’ standings of the all-electric racing series, Pascal Wehrlein, winner of the Mexico City E-Prix, ranks ninth with 63 points. André Lotterer is tied for points in tenth place. With 126 points in the team standings, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team lies sixth. 

Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E

Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E, 2022, Porsche AG



What insights do you take with you from New York to London? What are your goals?

“The positive things we’re taking away from New York are that we were competitive in both the qualifying and the race and that we have the pace to fight for top positions. Of course, it’s frustrating that due to some problems, we didn’t get one of our cars into the qualifying duels, and that André wasn’t able to convert his starting position into a podium finish or a win in the second race. Our goals are the same as at any other event: We want to fight for podium places.”

With the remaining season 8 races in London and Seoul, have you already been able to gather insights for season 9?

“On the operational side, we’re constantly developing, and the last races are also considered with regard to season 9. Of course, we have to take into account any changes to the weekend format in season 9 early enough.”

André Lotterer, Porsche works driver (#36)

André Lotterer, 2022, Porsche AG



In New York City you delivered a strong and impressive qualifying performance. What positives are you taking to London from the Big Apple?

“I qualified really well with P3. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to convert my excellent starting position into a better race result. Our race pace was good too, which makes us very confident for London. Basically, after the race weekend, we analyse everything and try to learn from it.”

Last year, you narrowly missed out on finishing on the podium with fourth in London. What’s possible this time?

“We had a decent pace in London and I hope we can fight for a top result again this time. In any case, we’ll work hard to achieve that. We have a good car and are highly motivated. Still, it’ll definitely be a tough weekend.”

Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94)

Pascal Wehrlein, 2022, Porsche AG



One of the most unusual tracks in Formula E awaits you in London. What’s it like for you to contest a race both indoors and outdoors?

“London is indeed one of the most interesting circuits on the calendar. It gets really exciting in the rain, when it’s dry inside and wet outside. It’s generally a slower circuit with lots of tight corners. You need a slightly different car setup. But, we’re ready for anything and we’ll hopefully have a successful weekend.”

In New York City you were in the leading group in the first race but didn’t finish in the points in the second. What makes you confident about London?

“The fact that we performed very well in qualifying and that we had the pace in the race. After all, I was able to make up nine positions in the second race from P20. All in all, it was a weekend where I could learn something.”

The circuit

The 2.141-kilometre ExCeL Circuit is unique with 22 turns and weaves its way both inside and outside East London’s exhibition centre on the Thames. The concrete floor of the hall was treated with a special substance to improve grip and protect the ground. The height difference between the indoor and outdoor areas was solved with ramps. For season 8, chicanes have been added between turns 10 and 13.

Live TV and Internet coverage

The worldwide broadcasting schedule of the Formula E event in London is available on: https://www.fiaformulae.com/watch/ways-to-watch.

Media service

The first photos from London will be available on the Porsche press database on 29 July. The race reports will follow on 30 July (race 13) and 31 July (race 14). Further information about the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will be posted live on the Twitter channel @PorscheFormulaE veröffentlicht. All relevant information about the team, the drivers and the racing series can be found in the updated Porsche Formula E Media Guide. The content will be regularly updated over the course of the season and expanded with additional interactive material.

Porsche in Formula E

With a historic one-two result thanks to Pascal Wehrlein and André Lotterer in the Porsche 99X Electric, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team celebrated its greatest success to date in Mexico on 12 February 2022. The team contests its third season in the world’s first all-electric racing series. At the debut event in November 2019, André Lotterer scored second place at the season-opening race in Diriyah: a dream start and proof that with the Porsche 99X Electric, Porsche had a competitive vehicle right from the outset. Last season, Wehrlein claimed pole position in Mexico City. Two podium results followed with Wehrlein finishing third in Rome and Lotterer securing second in Valencia. As an accelerator for innovative and sustainable mobility technologies, Formula E has brought thrilling motorsport to people living in major cities since 2014. With the all-electric Taycan, Porsche supplies the safety car this season, underlining the importance of Formula E for Porsche Motorsport. 

Porsche 99X Electric

With the Porsche 99X Electric, Porsche returned to open-wheel single-seater racing in 2019 after more than 30 years. The fully-electric racing car sporting the Weissach-developed Porsche E Performance Powertrain also serves as a development platform for the sports car manufacturer’s fully-electric production models. Energy management and efficiency are important factors for success in Formula E and in the development of production cars. For the 2021/2022 season, the 99X Electric has a maximum output of 250 kW in qualification mode and 220 kW in normal race mode. Attack Mode boosts the output to 250 kW. Maximum recuperation is 250 kW; the usable battery capacity is 52 Kilowatt-hours.

Porsche Taycan Turbo S as the new safety car

Porsche is committed to Formula E safety: With the all-electric Taycan Turbo S, the sports car manufacturer supplies the official safety car this season and underlines the importance of Formula E for Porsche Motorsport. Thanks to its driveability and safety as well as an output of up to 560 kW(761 PS; Taycan Turbo S: Electric power consumption* combined (WLTP) 23.4 – 21.9 kWh/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 0 g/km, Electric range* combined (WLTP) 440 – 468 km, Electric range* in town (WLTP) 524 – 573 km, Electric power consumption* combined (NEDC) 26.0 kWh/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (NEDC) 0 g/km), Porsche’s first all-electric sports car is the ideal choice as a safety car in the world’s first electric racing series. With Launch Control, the flagship model of the Taycan range accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 260 km/h. The striking paintwork incorporates the colours of all eleven competing teams as well as the FIA and Formula E colours. The design symbolises the joint commitment to the future of all-electric motor racing as well as social values such as diversity and community.

Formula E

Formula E is the world’s first fully-electric racing series bringing thrilling motorsport to people living in major cities since 2014. As an accelerator for innovative and sustainable technologies of mobility, it promotes the worldwide acceptance of electric vehicles with the aim to counteract climate change. The format is compact: practice, qualifying and race all take place on one day. Each race usually runs over 45 minutes plus one lap. Eleven teams tackle the 2021/2022 season with 22 drivers. This makes for interesting and hotly contested races. This marks the third season for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team campaigning the Porsche 99X Electric.

2022 races

Sixteen races in ten of the world’s biggest cities make up the provisional 2021/2022 calendar of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Race 1 & 2
28. / 29. January – Diriyah (Saudi Arabia)

Race 3
12. February – Mexico City (Mexico)

Race 4 & 5
9. / 10. April – Rome (Italy)

Race 6
30. April – Monaco (Monaco)

Race 7 & 8
14. / 15. May – Berlin (Germany)

Race 9
4. June – Jakarta (Indonesia)

Race 10
2. July – Marrakesh (Morocco)

Race 11 & 12
16. / 17. July – New York City (USA)

Race 13 & 14
30. / 31. July – London (Great Britain)

Race 15 & 16
13. / 14. August – Seoul (South Korea)

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