Motorsport Week previews rounds two and three of the 2024 FIA Formula E World Championship, where Pascal Wehrlein is looking to continue from where he left off in Mexico City.
The dust has just settled from the recent start of the season in the Mexican capital, with Diriyah set to host the first doubleheader of season 10 this Friday and Saturday. Wehrlein only aims to get his second victory in 2024, but also to reflect his dominance. in Diriyah 12 months ago, where he won any of the desert races.
Reigning World Champion Jake Dennis will be trying to stop him in Saudi Arabia, after his title defence got off to a disappointing start in Mexico City.
Diriyah’s two races around the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site are historically a sight to behold, with the 2,495km circuit illuminated via an impressive number of LEDs. Located just outside the northwest of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the two races on the Diriyah Street circuit will be held in the afternoon, as part of the night race on the Formula E calendar.
It’s a circuit the drivers love, with 10 of the 21 corners coming at them incredibly fast. The track has an iconic downhill section which is reminiscent of a bobsled run, with it always catching out a number of drivers.
Maximilian Günther is the driving force that found him out the hard way last season, as his big challenge at turn five in qualifying saw him miss the first race of the doubleheader. Interestingly, since joining the Formula E calendar in Season 6, Diriyah has only hosted double races rather than a single E-Prix consistent with the campaign.
On the first day at Diriyah last season, Sébastien Buemi took pole position, equalling Jean-Eric Vergne’s record of 15 poles. Buemi beat Jake Hughes in the final for his 100th Formula E appearance.
As mentioned above, Günther was unable to start the race after a heavy crash in qualifying. Kelvin van der Linde also made his Abt Cupra debut, having repositioned the injured Robin Frijns. In the race, it was Wehrlein who fought his way from ninth position to take a resounding victory, ahead of Dennis and Sam Bird. Porsches dominated again.
In the second E-Prix of the weekend, Hughes took a remarkable pole position in his third appearance, having beaten Mitch Evans in the final. Unfortunately, he failed to turn pole into a first podium, as Wehrlein and Dennis struggled to make it to the end. Back in front. It was Wehrlein who scored a one-two finish in Diriyah ahead of Dennis to take the lead in the championship.
René Rast finished the podium, giving Neom McLaren the first podium in Formula E. Nissan, NIO 333 Racing and Maserati earned their first results of season nine in the second race.
Unsurprisingly, Wehrlein is the heavy favourite for victory in either of this weekend’s two races, with a realistic chance of a one-two finish at Diriyah for the second season in a row. Given his past record in Saudi Arabia and the fact that he competes this weekend after winning in Mexico City, his confidence is at an all-time high.
Dennis is the driving force that will likely be in contention for victory this weekend, given that he finished second in both races 12 months ago and had smart speed in Mexico City, only to be overtaken by his own mistake in qualifying that cost him dearly. Expensive. There is no possibility of going up to the stands in the opening match of the season.
After claiming a podium in Mexico City on his factory Jaguar debut, Cassidy is someone who’ll probably be threatening the Porsche-powered drivers across both races. Historically, Diriyah hasn’t been a strong venue for the Kiwi, although he has every chance of changing that come this Friday and Saturday.
A dark horse for the win is Frijns, who unfortunately crashed in the season opener on his return to Envision. Frijns has been in form recently in the suburbs of the Saudi capital and finished second there twice: the second race of Season 7 and Season 8. He also took pole position for the second race of the 8Array season.
Another dark horse is Günther. La German’s performance in Mexico surprised many, given the turbulence of the offseason for Maserati. However, after a twist of fate in the first session, he was quick in the first season and was a real contender for the podium. However, it is vital for him not to repeat his fall in the 2023 rankings.
There are a number of drivers to keep an eye on in Diriyah, either as outsiders on the podium or also due to their impressive recent form in Diriyah. With Buemi and Hughes taking pole at the Saudi Arabian races last year, they will once again be closely watched. this weekend, especially in qualifying.
Hughes’ team-mate Sam Bird is one of the most successful Formula E drivers at Diriyah, having taken two wins and a podium since the venue joined the calendar in Season 6. Although a win is unlikely, McLaren has shown in 2023 that its package works in Saudi Arabia, and given that Bird is one of the most powerful drivers there, it is possible that a smart result could be achieved.
Evans is another driver who could threaten the podium as he looks to start Season 10 better than when he started Season 9. He may only finish fifth in Mexico City due to an orientation issue. Evans may also not want to be defeated through Cassidy again.
After suffering a blow in the Mexican capital, António Félix da Costa will recover, in a stadium where he has also won in the past. Da Costa won the first Formula E race at Diriyah from pole position, after recently finishing on the podium there in Season 7.
As it’s Diriyah’s doubleheader this weekend, you’d be foolish not to keep an eye out for one of the site’s most successful drivers, Nyck de Vries. The Season 7 World Champion is a two-time winner and poleman in Diriyah. A podium for De Vries is highly unlikely, but a perfect weekend is imaginable at a circuit he knows very well and could reignite his return to Formula E.
After turning pole position into victory in Mexico City, Wehrlein leads the drivers’ championship with 28 points, where he leads Buemi by 10 points. Cassidy finished third in the season opener and set the fastest lap, still two points behind his ex. teammate and 12 Wehrlein numbers. As for Dennis, he already has 26 Wehrlein numbers.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team that leads the constructors’ championship, thanks to Wehrlein’s 28 problems. However, with Cassidy finishing third and Evans fifth, Jaguar TCS Racing is only two problems behind.
Reigning teams’ champions Envision Racing are third, Porsche with 10 problems, while Maserati and DS Penske are fourth with 12 problems. Nissan, Mahindra, ERT and Abt Cupra are yet to score a point, something they will be looking to rectify in the Diriyah. Double header.
Thursday, January 25
Free Practice 1 – 14:55
Friday 26 January
Free Practice 2 – 09:55
Qualifying (Round 2) – 12:20 p. m.
Race (Round 2) – 5:00 p. m.
Saturday 27 January
Free Practice – 09:55
Qualifying (Round 3) – 12:20 p. m.
Race (Round 3) – 5:00 p. m.
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