Photo: Formula E

Wehrlein wins under the lights in Diriyah

The new Gen3 cars danced their way through the illuminated Diriyah Street Circuit on Friday night, and it was a sensational sight again as the grid continued to find their feet in wheel-to-wheel situations in new machinery.

 

The German-Mauritian Porsche driver took his first victory of the season, as he proved he’s still a skilled driver with the ability to win races. Jake Dennis, the winner in Mexico, finished in second place behind Wehrlein to continue his good start to the season, and reverse the one-two that we saw in round one.

 

Their podium was shared with another British driver, Sam Bird.

 

It was drama from lights out as the drivers got away from the line, with pole-sitter Sébastien Buemi holding the lead into turn one from McLaren driver Jake Hughes, whilst Porsche driver Antonio Felix da Costa went into the wall following a crowded first corner. Although the Portuguese driver was not out of the race, he was a lap down after pitting, even with a safety car, so had a disappointing first duel in Diriyah.

 

The lead changed hands at end of lap seven, with Sam Bird taking Buemi on the inside, but by lap 24, Pascal Wehrlein had dispatched second-placed Buemi and was hunting down race-leader Bird to complete a stunning send through the grid.

 

On lap 30, he made the move on the inside of turn 18 to take the lead, nine laps before crossing the line for his second-ever Formula E victory.

 

After their battle for the lead, Bird lost out more after falling behind Jake Dennis.

 

There was drama in the midfield too, with defending champion Stoffel Vandoorne only achieving another disappointing finish, this time in P11.

 

Free practice 3 takes place tomorrow, along with Qualifying for Race 3 of this intriguing double header under the lights.

 

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