In a truly electrifying display of strategic prowess and raw speed, Pascal Wehrlein clinched a historic first victory for himself and the Porsche Formula E team at the captivating Mexico City E-Prix. The event, held at the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, was a masterclass in dynamic electric racing, seeing Wehrlein expertly hold off a relentless challenge from his teammate, Andre Lotterer, to secure a memorable one-two finish for the German manufacturer. The thrilling race unfolded without a single Safety Car or Full Course Yellow intervention, allowing for continuous, high-octane competition and keeping spectators on the edge of their seats until the very last lap.
Pascal Wehrlein and Porsche Make History with Dominant Mexico City E-Prix Victory
The 2022 Mexico City E-Prix will forever be etched in the annals of Formula E history as the moment Porsche officially arrived as a race-winning force. Pascal Wehrlein, starting from a hard-earned pole position, converted his front-row advantage into a triumphant win, guiding his Porsche 99X Electric car across the finish line less than a second ahead of his stablemate, Andre Lotterer. This remarkable achievement not only marked Wehrlein’s inaugural win in the championship but also signified Porsche’s breakthrough victory in the fiercely competitive world of all-electric motorsport. Jean-Eric Vergne of Techeetah rounded out the podium, claiming a valuable third place after a tumultuous race.
From Pole to Podium: A Race of Shifting Fortunes
The anticipation was palpable as the lights went out, signaling the start of the Mexico City E-Prix. Pascal Wehrlein, starting from pole, demonstrated immediate intent, executing an aggressive defensive move to cover the inside line into the first corner, successfully fending off Edoardo Mortara, who was eager to challenge for the lead. The early laps saw intense jostling for position, a characteristic feature of Formula E racing. However, disaster nearly struck for Antonio Felix da Costa, Vergne’s Techeetah teammate, who made contact with the wall on the exit of Turn 4 on the second lap. Miraculously, da Costa managed to continue, seemingly having sustained only minimal damage, a testament to the robust design of the Gen2 Formula E cars.
The Strategic Chessboard: Mastering Attack Mode
The middle phase of the race transformed into a tactical battle, with drivers strategically deploying their Attack Mode. This unique Formula E feature allows drivers to access a temporary boost of power by driving through a designated off-line activation zone. Andre Lotterer and Edoardo Mortara were among the first to activate their initial Attack Mode through the stadium section, a dramatic part of the circuit. Wehrlein promptly followed suit on the subsequent lap, ensuring he maintained parity with his key rivals. Despite both leading Porsches being in their Attack Mode activation window, Mortara, driving for Venturi, capitalized on a superior run along the pit straight. He skillfully pulled alongside Wehrlein, executing a decisive overtake to seize the lead as they plunged into the first turn, showcasing the raw pace of the Venturi package.
The race continued to ebb and flow with constant overtakes. Jean-Eric Vergne, a two-time Formula E champion, demonstrated his veteran experience with a courageous move up the inside of Lotterer at the hairpin, elevating himself to third place. Following his teammate’s example, Antonio Felix da Costa then passed Lotterer, demoting the Porsche driver to fifth. Vergne’s momentum continued as he then swept past Wehrlein to claim second position. However, Wehrlein’s subsequent activation of his second Attack Mode was marred by an unfortunate incident; contact with da Costa dislodged his left-front wheel cover, costing him precious time and multiple positions, a significant setback in his quest for victory.
Techeetah’s Tangle and Porsche’s Powerful Comeback
The drama intensified as Jean-Eric Vergne, who had positioned himself strongly, began to suffer from severe radio communication problems. This technical glitch proved immensely costly, as the Techeetah driver rapidly lost three positions in a single lap. Wehrlein, now fully recovered from his earlier incident and with renewed focus, seized the opportunity to reclaim second place from Vergne. Lotterer then followed, pushing Vergne further down the order, before Robin Frijns also made a move, demoting Vergne to fifth place. With the communication issues hampering his ability to manage energy and strategy, Vergne found himself battling a new set of challenges.
Having passed Vergne, Pascal Wehrlein set his sights firmly on the race leader, Edoardo Mortara. Displaying exceptional pace and energy management, Wehrlein systematically closed the gap, finding himself on Mortara’s tail within just two laps. Utilizing his superior energy levels to his advantage, Wehrlein executed a clinical overtake, powering past the Venturi car along the pit straight to reclaim the lead of the race. The momentum was now firmly with Porsche. Soon after, Andre Lotterer mirrored his teammate’s move, diving to the inside of Mortara to secure second place, thereby establishing a commanding Porsche one-two with less than 15 minutes of race time remaining. This was a pivotal moment, signaling a potential dominant finish for the Stuttgart-based team.
A Commanding One-Two and the Unexpected Extra Lap
With both Porsche 99X Electric cars now leading the pack, Wehrlein and Lotterer began to pull away, establishing a significant gap over the chasing field. Lotterer maintained a close watch on his teammate, respecting the team’s overarching strategy. In a clear display of teamwork and discipline, the Porsche pit wall issued instructions for their drivers to hold position and secure the historic one-two finish, an instruction Lotterer duly obliged, cementing their formidable advantage.
However, the race held one more significant twist. As the two Porsches crossed the timing line to commence what they anticipated would be the penultimate lap, only one second of race time remained on the countdown clock. According to Formula E regulations, if the leader crosses the line with more than zero seconds remaining, an additional lap is added to the race. Had Wehrlein crossed the line just one second later, the race would have concluded on the subsequent lap as originally planned. This unforeseen extension meant that all drivers would now have to complete two more laps rather than just one.
For the leading Porsches, this presented no concern whatsoever; they had managed their energy impeccably and had ample reserves remaining. However, for several other teams, this extra lap proved to be a critical blow. The Jaguars of Mitch Evans and Sam Bird, along with Oliver Rowland’s Mahindra, had meticulously calculated their energy usage to finish precisely on the anticipated final lap. The sudden addition of an extra lap completely disrupted their strategies, leaving them with insufficient energy to maintain their pace and positions. This unexpected turn of events ruined their carefully planned races, causing them to fall down the order in the closing stages, highlighting the intricate relationship between strategy and regulations in Formula E.
Race Finish: Podium Glory and Championship Shifts
Unfazed by the additional lap, Pascal Wehrlein masterfully brought his Porsche home, crossing the finish line to secure his and Porsche’s first-ever E-Prix victory. Andre Lotterer followed closely behind, less than a second adrift, completing a sensational one-two for the team. Jean-Eric Vergne, despite his earlier radio issues, held on valiantly to claim the final podium spot in third, a testament to his fighting spirit. His teammate, Antonio Felix da Costa, recovered impressively from his early contact to finish fourth, salvaging crucial points for Techeetah.
Edoardo Mortara, who had briefly led the race, managed to secure a solid fifth place for Venturi. Mercedes-EQ’s Nyck de Vries finished sixth, adding valuable points to his championship tally. Robin Frijns (Envision Racing), Sebastien Buemi (Nissan e.dams), Maximilian Guenther (Nissan e.dams), and Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti) all rounded out the top ten, earning vital championship points. Lucas di Grassi (Venturi) fell from a potential seventh to 12th after receiving a five-second time penalty for contact with both Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes-EQ), underscoring the fierce competition and close-quarters racing.
Championship Implications: A Season Ignited
Following this enthralling Mexico City E-Prix, Edoardo Mortara maintains a narrow five-point lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings over Nyck de Vries after three races. However, Pascal Wehrlein’s victory, coupled with Porsche’s dominant one-two, has significantly reshaped the championship narrative. The German manufacturer has now firmly established itself as a front-runner, sending a clear signal to the rest of the grid. The season promises to be an intense battle, with multiple teams and drivers now demonstrating the capability to contend for race wins and the overall championship title. Wehrlein’s triumph adds him to the list of serious contenders, injecting fresh excitement and unpredictability into the remainder of the Formula E calendar.
Porsche’s Journey to Formula E Victory: A Strategic Masterstroke
Porsche’s entry into Formula E marked a significant strategic shift for the storied German marque, renowned for its heritage in endurance racing and sports car excellence. Their commitment to electric motorsport was a clear declaration of intent towards a sustainable and electrified future. The journey to their first victory has been one of diligent development, continuous learning, and unwavering determination. This win in Mexico City is not merely a single race triumph; it is a powerful validation of their engineering prowess, their strategic approach to electric racing, and the dedication of their entire team. It signals Porsche’s firm establishment as a formidable contender in the world of Formula E, and sets a high benchmark for their ambitions in this cutting-edge championship.
Provisional 2022 Mexico City E-Prix Race Results
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pascal Wehrlein | Porsche |
| 2 | Andre Lotterer | Porsche |
| 3 | Jean-Eric Vergne | Techeetah |
| 4 | Antonio Felix da Costa | Techeetah |
| 5 | Edoardo Mortara | Venturi |
| 6 | Nyck de Vries | Mercedes |
| 7 | Robin Frijns | Envision |
| 8 | Sebastien Buemi | Nissan Edams |
| 9 | Max Guenther | Nissan Edams |
| 10 | Jake Dennis | Andretti |
| 11 | Stoffel Vandoorne | Mercedes |
| 12 | Lucas di Grassi | Venturi |
| 13 | Nick Cassidy | Envision |
| 14 | Oliver Turvey | Nio |
| 15 | Sam Bird | Jaguar |
| 16 | Oliver Rowland | Mahindra |
| 17 | Oliver Askew | Andretti |
| 18 | Dan Ticktum | Nio |
| 19 | Mitch Evans | Jaguar |
| 20 | Sergio Sette Camara | Dragon Penske |
| 21 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Dragon Penske |
| DNF | Alexander Sims | Mahindra |
Explore More Formula E Content
- McLaren to Quit Formula E at End of Season
- Wehrlein Beats Jaguar Pair to Title in Dramatic Formula E Finale
- Wehrlein’s London Win Sets Up Thrilling Three-Way Title Showdown in Finale
- Da Costa Takes Hat-Trick of Wins in Chaotic Second Portland Race
- Da Costa Inherits Portland Win from Evans After Cassidy Spins Lead Away
Browse All Formula E Articles