In temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius, Pascal Wehrlein started the 34-lap race on the fast São Paulo Street Circuit from pole position. Fans at the 2.933-kilometre circuit witnessed numerous lead changes and spectacular overtaking manoeuvres. The Porsche works driver was in the leading group throughout the race and only just missed out on the podium in the closing laps. António Félix da Costa, his teammate from the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, put on a strong show in Brazil: after a difficult start to the season, he finished sixth and scored his first championship points of 2024.
Behind Pascal Wehrlein, Jake Dennis from the Porsche customer team Andretti Formula E finished fifth. Norman Nato (FRA) took the flag in 18th place at the helm of the second Porsche 99X Electric from US motorsport legend Michael Andretti’s racing team.
With 61 points, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has advanced to second place in the team classification. Jaguar is still at the top with 96 points. Andretti Formula E follows in fifth place with 47 points. In the drivers’ standings, Pascal Wehrlein ranks second with 53 points, just four points behind leader Nick Cassidy (NZL). Jake Dennis lies in fifth place with 38 points, while his teammate Norman Nato is in 13th place with nine points. After scoring eight points in São Paulo, António Félix da Costa joins the Season 10 scoreboard for the first time in 15th place.
Comments on the São Paulo E-Prix, Race 4
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “All in all, it was a good weekend for us in extreme conditions. Pascal put in a very strong qualifying performance and was rewarded with his second pole of the season. Nevertheless, we can’t be completely satisfied because we could’ve done a lot more today. In the opening stages of the race, we quickly had both cars in the top four, but when overtaking became increasingly difficult due to the safety car phases, we unfortunately just weren’t there. We’re happy to secure the points. But now, it’s time to start preparing for Tokyo, where we’ll try to do it all better.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “Overall, it was a positive weekend with pole position. However, I’m not completely satisfied with how the race went. We failed to push further forward in the middle of the race. After the safety car phases, it was even more difficult to overtake. That’s when I lost a potential podium finish. More would’ve been possible for us today. But we simply didn’t make the most of our opportunities.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): “To be honest, I’m a little disappointed with the outcome of the race. A podium was on the cards for us today. In the final phase, we didn't seem to have everything one hundred per cent together. We can still improve as a team. Personally, I came to São Paulo determined to deliver a solid performance. In the race, we matched the pace of the fastest drivers and that’s something we can build on.”
Next up
The next event for Porsche and Andretti Formula E is round 5 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on 30th March hosted by Tokyo for the first time.
Preview
Four Porsche 99X Electric race cars will line up on the grid at the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s only event in South America. Mexico winner Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa will helm two of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team’s electric racing cars developed at the Weissach site, which operates on a net carbon-neutral basis. The Porsche customer team Andretti Formula E will also tackle the São Paulo Street Circuit with two Porsche 99X Electric cars. The drivers representing the racing team of American motorsport legend Michael Andretti are the defending world champion Jake Dennis, who won a race at the double-header event in Diriyah, and Frenchman Norman Nato.
After three of 16 races so far this season, the best Porsche driver is Pascal Wehrlein. With 38 points, he currently ranks second in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship drivers’ standings behind Nick Cassidy (NZL, 57 points). Jake Dennis (28) lies fourth with Norman Nato (9) in thirteenth. Jaguar leads the teams’ standings with 78 points ahead of DS Penske (47) and the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team (38). Andretti Formula E (37) is fourth.
Comments on the São Paulo E-Prix
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “Following the successful start to the season with two victories for the Porsche 99X Electric, we’re travelling to São Paulo with high expectations. The characteristics of the track suggest that energy management will be far more important than in Mexico and Saudi Arabia. So we’re likely to see more overtaking manoeuvres again, which is bound to make the race more exciting for the fans.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “It’s unusual to have a seven-week break between two races. We spent a lot of time in the simulator and tried to implement our ideas for improvements that we gathered from the first three races of the season. The euphoria after our opening victory in Mexico was dampened a little in Diriyah, but we know what we have to work on. We especially need to improve our qualifying performance. São Paulo is not the most challenging track but it offers good overtaking opportunities. The fans can look forward to an exciting race.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): “Brazilians love motorsport. The fans gave us a very warm welcome at the opening Formula E race a year ago. Their enthusiasm also motivated me: I only missed out on pole position by a few hundredths of a second at the time and ended up finishing fourth in the race. The track suits us. I didn’t get off to a good start this season. I’m trying to find answers and working hard with my team to come back stronger in São Paulo.”
The racetrack
The São Paulo Street Circuit runs through the Anhembi Sambadrome, where 100,000 spectators watched the samba schools’ colourful parade during Carnival. Featuring eleven turns, the 2.933-kilometre circuit is a typical Formula E track with 90-degree corners and a chicane on the back straight. The weather often plays a role here: at this time of year in São Paulo, it rains almost every day.
Live TV and Internet coverage
The worldwide broadcasting schedule of the Formula E events is available at fiaformulae.com. Race 4 in São Paulo will get underway at 2:03 pm local time (6:03 pm CET) on 16 March, with qualifying starting at 9:40 am local time (1:40 pm CET).
The Media Service
The first photos from São Paulo will be available on the Porsche press database on 15 March. The race report follows on 16 March (race 4). All information about the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will be posted live on the X channel (formerly Twitter) @PorscheFormulaE. All relevant information about the team, the drivers and the racing series can be found in the Porsche Newsroom at Porsche Newsroom The content will be regularly updated throughout the season and expanded with additional interactive material.
Porsche in Formula E
The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team tackles its fifth Formula E season with the Porsche 99X Electric, which was developed at the Weissach site, which already operates on a new carbon neutral basis. Thanks to four victories courtesy of Pascal Wehrlein (3) and António Félix da Costa (1), 2023 was the most successful year since the sports car manufacturer entered the all-electric racing series. For the first time last season, Porsche supported a customer team, Andretti Formula E. The squad promptly won the world championship title with the Porsche 99X Electric and Jake Dennis. With the all-electric Taycan Turbo S, Porsche again supplies the official safety car in 2024, thus underlining the importance of Formula E for Porsche Motorsport.
