On the narrow street circuit around Monaco, the starting position is traditionally crucial in deciding the outcome of the race. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team heads to the first European E-Prix of the season at the top of the teams’ standings. In the drivers’ standings, da Costa is currently in second place after claiming three podiums. Wehrlein is in third place following his win in Miami.
Factory team strong in qualifying
A starting position on the front rows of the grid pays off more in Monaco than at almost any other track on the calendar. And this is where one of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team’s strengths lie this season: With a current record of two pole positions, four front-row positions and the highest number of duels won, Porsche has the most successful duo in qualifying. With an average qualifying position of 5.2, Wehrlein comes out on top. Da Costa is behind him in joint second place with a score of 5.4.
Two races in Monaco for first time
Formula E is heading to the principality for the seventh time, but this season will be the first time there have been two races on the same weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Up until 2019, the E-Prix was held every other year – on a shortened variant of the Circuit de Monaco. Since 2021, the first all-electric race series has been using the full 3.337-kilometre Formula 1 Grand Prix layout.
Porsche’s record in the principality
The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is entering its fifth event at the Côte d’Azur. Porsche’s best position to date came from Wehrlein last season, when he finished in 5th place after starting from pole position. Da Costa, the 2021 Monaco winner, moved his way up through the field well last year after a collision that wasn’t his fault and crossed the finish line in seventh place.
Second “Pit Boost” round: Rapid charging with 600 kW
Like at the third race of the season in Jeddah, the ultra efficient Porsche 99X Electric will have to make a mandatory pit stop in Monaco: During the 34-second Pit Boost, 3.85 kWh of electricity will flow into the battery (10%) – innovative rapid charging with 600 kW of power. By way of comparison: The Formula E safety car – the sports car for the road; the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT – charges with up to 320 kW. The CCS (Combined Charging System) symbolises the transfer of technology to series production: The socket and plug from the 99X racing car and the electric Porsche sports car for the road are very similar. The CCS combines the benefits of alternating current charging with the benefits of direct current charging, meaning it enables more gentle charging at home and more powerful rapid charging on the go, for example.
Standings after 5 of 16 races
Drivers’ classification
1. Oliver Rowland (GBR), 69 points
2. António Félix da Costa (POR), 54 points
3. Pascal Wehrlein (GER), 51 points
7. Jake Dennis (GBR), 27 points
15. Nico Müller (SUI), 14 points
16. Dan Ticktum (GBR), 12 points
22. David Beckmann (GER), 0 points
Teams’ classification
1. TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team (GER), 105 points
2. Nissan Formula E Team (JPN), 80 points
3. NEOM McLaren Formula E Team (GBR), 67 points
7. Andretti Formula E (USA), 41 points
10. CUPRA KIRO (USA), 12 points
Manufacturers’ classification
1. Nissan, 146 points
2. Porsche, 120 points
3. Stellantis, 85 points
Formula E Live on TV and online
Races 6 and 7 of the season get underway at 15:05 local time on 3 and 4 May respectively, qualifying starts at 10:40 local time on both days.
The worldwide broadcasting schedule of the Formula E events is available at fiaformulae.com/en/ways-to-watch.
Comments on the Monaco E-Prix
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “With the tailwind from Miami on the back of the first win of the season and the second double podium of the season, we are highly motivated as we enter the first historic double-header in Monaco and we will be doing our very best to be up there at the front of the grid again, battling for podiums and victory. We have experienced a lot in Monaco in recent years. In Season 8, Pascal was in the lead but then unfortunately retired with a problem. In Season 10, he took pole position. We are just missing the win. This is our clear goal, even though you don’t get any more than 25 points for winning in Monaco. We’re interested to see what effect all-wheel drive will have in Monaco. Compared with other tracks, it could make much more of an impact here. We’re excited to see what happens and are looking forward to Monaco.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche factory driver: “As athletes, Monaco is a highlight for us drivers. Because the track is so prestigious, everyone pushes that little bit harder than at other circuits. Despite the fact that the track is so unforgiving. We’re hoping to be strong in qualifying again. In addition to strategy, the race involves a bit of luck because the narrow track means that good pace alone is not enough. We were fortunate during the red flag in Miami and I was able to take advantage. Hopefully luck will be on our side once again in Monaco. Before Miami this was definitely not the case.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche factory driver: “I’m really looking forward to Monaco. For sure it’s one of our highlights of the year in terms of the location and the history that this track has. I have been on pole and won this race before, but in recent years we have struggled a bit there. We’ve found good form in qualifying and races this year and we are having a good championship so we are really looking forward to it. Also, it’s going to be cool to have a double-header in Monaco this year with the Pit Boost on Saturday.”
Porsche in Formula E
2024/2025 sees Porsche contest its sixth Formula E season. In addition to the factory TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, American customer team Andretti Formula E is entering the Porsche 99X Electric of the latest GEN3 Evo generation. With the addition of Cupra Kiro, this season will be the first time that a second Porsche customer team has entered the series; they will be using 99X technology of the previous GEN3 generation. Formula E gives the brand valuable insights for its production sports cars.
