Positive Formula E debut season overall for Porsche

Berlin E-Prix (Round 11)

He had already secured a points finish in all five previous races of the season finale. Neel Jani (CH) finished in 15th position in the Porsche 99X Electric.

In the drivers’ championship, Lotterer finished eighth in the overall standings with 71 points. He reached the podium on two occasions, firstly at the season-opener in Diriyah (SA). Jani’s best result in his first full Formula E season, which he finished with eight points in 20th position overall, was sixth place at the penultimate race in Berlin. With 79 points and eighth place in the team championship, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has concluded a more successful debut season than any newcomer since Season 2 of the fully-electric series.

The qualifying

As on the previous day, Jani produced a good pace in qualifying, but just missed out on the Super Pole on this occasion with his time of 01:15.861 minutes. The Swiss driver started from eighth place on the grid. Lotterer had to be on the circuit in the first group and secured 20th place with a time of 01:16.317 minutes.

The race

Lotterer moved up by three positions at the start, only to lose these gains during the first lap. Jani was able to defend eighth place once the red starting lights went out. However, he had to let a number of competitors pass on the following laps and finished the race in 15th place. Lotterer worked his way up through the field to improve by six places. He finished in 14th place after 36 laps. 

Reactions to the Berlin E-Prix

Fritz Enzinger (Vice President Porsche Motorsport): “Today in Berlin represented the conclusion of what was, in many ways, an extraordinary season in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. We have celebrated our debut in fully-electric motor racing - and achieved success from the word go. André Lotterer finished second at the season-opener to reach the podium. He followed this up with another podium finish in Berlin. We scored points with the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team in eight out of 11 events. That is an outstanding record for a newcomer to Formula E. We entered this championship without any experience from being a partner or customer team and worked hard together for every single achievement. I am incredibly proud of the whole team - at the racetrack and in Weissach. Huge thanks to the drivers Neel Jani and André Lotterer, as well as our partners. None of this would have been possible without them. Of course, the season took a most unexpected turn with the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic. Congratulations to Formula E for organising such a thrilling finale in Berlin despite everything. We were able to stay focused during the long break, which enabled us to give everything. That was rewarded with good results. We will now immediately start to concentrate on preparations for the upcoming season. We have gained plenty of experience that will only make us stronger for the challenges ahead. I can say one thing for definite: Porsche feels at home in Formula E. Our goal for next season is clear: winning.” 

Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E): “That was a another difficult day to finish things off. We struggled with the balance on both cars. So, our first Formula E season finished without scoring any more points. However, we are very pleased overall. We knew that it would be a big challenge for us to enter as a completely new team. But we overcame this challenge. Second place at the season-opener in Diriyah really gave us some extra motivation at the start. The experience gained throughout the season was just as important and we will benefit from this in the future. Six races in nine days in Berlin was a very intensive experience, but one that brought us even closer together. We are already looking forward to next season.”

André Lotterer (Porsche 99X Electric, #36): “Unfortunately, I got stuck behind another car in qualifying and had to start from 20th place. Nonetheless, I was optimistic about the race and I had hoped to put on another chasing performance. For whatever reason, the car just didn't behave quite as well today. It is a bit disappointing to finish the year without any points. But overall, it was a good first season for us. We had two second places, some good races and a few that weren't so good. We still have plenty to learn about this series. But it was a promising start. I think that we will be even stronger next year.”

Berlin E-Prix (Round 10)

The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team finished in the points with both drivers in Berlin (DE) for the first time this season. In the tenth race of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, André Lotterer (DE) in the #36 Porsche 99X Electric crossed the finishing line in fourth place. He had spent much of the race in third place, on course to finish on the podium. Neel Jani (CH) in sixth in the second Porsche 99X Electric secured the best team result of the season in terms of number of points, picking up a total of eight points. He started from third on the grid and made it into the Super Pole for the first time.

In the drivers’ standings, Lotterer now with 71 points and in fifth is still the best-placed Porsche representative and the most successful German Formula E driver. So far he is the only driver in the field to finish in the points in all five of the races in Berlin. Jani is in 20th place. In the team standings, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team remains in eighth position, now with 79 points. 

The qualifying

From the fourth start group, Jani achieved a time of 1:16.234 minutes, which earned him sixth place and a spot in the Super Pole for the first time. In the battle of the top six drivers, the man from Switzerland drove another strong lap and in third place secured the best starting position of his Formula E career. Lotterer, who only just missed out on making it into the top six by a few thousandths of a second with a time of 1:16.241 minutes, qualified in seventh place on the starting grid.

The race

Both TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team drivers started the penultimate race of the season well. Jani defended his third place well, Lotterer moved up two places and finished the first lap in fifth place. The German pulled off another strong overtaking manoeuvre on the sixth lap to take fourth position. Both Porsche works drivers continued to have a consistently good pace and stayed in third and fourth. When Jani activated ‘Attack Mode’ for the second time on the 20th lap, and lost positions, Lotterer moved ahead of his team-mate. He was then able to use the Fanboost for the fifth time this season, after being among the top five in the online voting of Formula E fans. In combination with the ‘Attack Mode’, Lotterer then consolidated third place, which he maintained even after the second four-minute phase with extra power. He was only forced off the podium on the final lap and finished in fourth. Jani saw the chequered flag in sixth place and celebrated his best Formula E result to date.

Reactions to the Berlin E-Prix

Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E): “It was a memorable day for us as a team, with two cars in the points. Fantastic effort from everybody involved. André unfortunately just missing out right at the end on a podium place. We were struggling a little bit at the beginning of the day, but we managed to get the car in the right direction for the race, and Neel did a fantastic job too. First time drive up at the front, a complete new game from Neel and he brought the car home nicely in the points. All I can say is I’m proud of everybody in the team and great points. With André we still have the chance to take a step forward in the drivers' championship.” 

Neel Jani (Porsche 99X Electric, #18): “First off, it’s fantastic that I made it into the Super Pole for the first time. It took a while, but I have fought for this moment for a long time. We made some changes to the car set-up, which paid off for me. In the race I had a good start, stayed well in P3. Then unfortunately lost out a bit during the ‘Attack Mode’. I just wanted to get that car over the line and into the points, before getting tangled up in unnecessary battles. I’m happy I managed that.”

André Lotterer (Porsche 99X Electric, #36): “It was really close in qualifying today, and I only just missed out on the Super Pole by a few thousandths of a second. The race started well, and I made my way forward. Then everyone found their rhythm, and I was in P3. But I used a bit of energy at the beginning of the race to pass a few guys, so I was slightly down in the closing phase. Then René Rast passed me on the final lap. The overall result is okay. All in all Neel and I picked up good points.”

Outlook

The drivers and teams have just 24 hours after the tenth race of the season before the closing race of the 2019/2020 ABB FIA Formula E Championship on Thursday. The race will be on the new track layout in Berlin-Tempelhof.

Berlin E-Prix (Round 9)

Neel Jani (CH) reached 19th place in the fourth of six races at the Berlin-Tempelhof circuit.

With two races remaining, Lotterer (DE) has 59 points in the drivers’ standings and is in seventh place overall. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is in eighth position in the team standings and also has 59 points.

The qualifying

After his strong recent results, Lotterer entered qualifying in the first start group for the first time since the Santiago E-Prix (CL). His final time was a personal best of 1:07.036 minutes, which equated to 18th place on the starting grid. In the fourth group, Jani qualified in 22nd place with a time of 1:07.119 minutes.

The race

Both Porsche works drivers gained one position on the grid as another driver was unable to start. After a turbulent opening phase that culminated in a safety car appearance following an accident, Lotterer was able to make gradual progress. He moved up to 13th after his first use of ‘Attack Mode’, while Jani was in 18th place at the start of the second half of the race. Lotterer activated ‘Attack Mode’ for the second time 14 minutes from the end and managed to drive into tenth place. The German driver followed this by making overtaking manoeuvres to progress to seventh place. Lotterer crossed the finish line in eighth position. He, along with two other Formula E drivers, scored points in all previous races of the big season finale. His team-mate Jani saw the chequered flag in 19th place.

Reactions to the Berlin E-Prix

Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E): “That was a tough day for us today. We struggled to find the right grip with both cars in qualifying. That meant we had to start from quite a way back. André was able to move up by ten places. Once again, we improved consistently throughout the race. That is definitely a positive aspect from today. We will now analyse why we didn’t do better in qualifying. Congratulations to António Félix da Costa and DS Techeetah on both of their titles.”

Neel Jani (Porsche 99X Electric, #18): “The race started off well but it got more difficult towards the end. I was able to keep pace after the start and saved energy. A minor collision set me back somewhat. I had to use a bit of energy to move up again. Essentially, that made my race more difficult. I would have had more of a chance otherwise.”

André Lotterer (Porsche 99X Electric, #36): “This race was a lot of fun at the end and I was able to improve by ten positions. I could hardly have done any better under these conditions. That was a good comeback. Overall, we had a tough day and qualifying didn't go too well as we finished in 18th place. Looking at it from that point of view, we can be satisfied with this result.”

Outlook

After four races in five days, drivers and teams can now look forward to a short break before the season enters the final stretch on Wednesday. In the meantime, the Berlin-Tempelhof circuit will be adjusted for the final double-header. This will take place on 12th and 13th August on a new track layout and marks the conclusion of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship 2019/2020.

Berlin E-Prix (Round 8)

Having started from seventh position, the German driver scored another ten points thanks to a strong final phase and some good energy management. Neel Jani (CH) retired from the eighth race of the season after a not-at-fault collision in the second Porsche 99X Electric.

Finishing in the top-ten again saw Lotterer increase his points tally in the drivers’ championship to 55 and he is now in sixth place. He has scored at least one point in six of the eight races of the season thus far. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is eighth in the team standings, with the same number of points.

The qualifying

This time around, the Formula E teams were driving on the traditional Formula E circuit at Berlin-Tempelhof. Lotterer and Jani hit the track in start groups two and four respectively. Lotterer recorded a time of 1:06.867 minutes, missing out on Super Pole by just 21 thousandths of a second, and finished seventh to secure a spot on the fourth row of the grid. Jani posted a time of 1:07.193 minutes to claim 18th place.
 

The race

The two Porsche drivers began the race in sweltering conditions as temperatures topped 30 degrees Celsius. Lotterer was able to defend his seventh place at the start, while Jani emerged from some battles in an intensive early phase in 17th position. The Swiss driver’s participation in the Berlin E-Prix came to an early end after around 15 minutes, however, when he was involved in an accident through no fault of his own. Jani’s Porsche 99X Electric was too badly damaged for him to continue and a safety car period then ensued. After the restart, the ‘Attack Modes’ employed by the drivers provided plenty of action throughout the field, though Lotterer remained calm and maintained his position in the top ten. For the fourth time this season, he was one of the five drivers rewarded with Fanboost after online voting by the fans. In the closing minutes of the race, Lotterer made another two thrilling overtaking manoeuvres to ensure that he would finish fifth and collect more points.

Reactions to the Berlin E-Prix

Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E): “Qualifying was not ideal and we lost a bit of time. However, we knew that we would have a good car in the race. André really battled hard and gave a great performance. We have scored some important championship points and we are pleased with the result. Now we are looking forward to tomorrow. If we can finish two or three places higher in qualifying, we have a good chance of a podium finish.”

Neel Jani (Porsche 99X Electric, #18): “The car felt good today so it is even more of a shame that we had to retire. I was able to apply pressure on the competitors in front of me and improve from the start but then there was a pile-up in front of me with cars spinning left and right. Unfortunately, one of them came to a standstill right in front of me and I caught it. It was a racing accident. That just happens sometimes. Now we have to make sure that we get to the front tomorrow, as that will hopefully help me to avoid anything like that.”

André Lotterer (Porsche 99X Electric, #36): “Starting from seventh, I found my rhythm pretty fast. It took a bit of time to pass some cars in front of me. The closing stage of the race was really strong. I didn’t quite manage to reach the podium but fifth place scores us some more points. Qualifying was very promising. Sector one and sector two were really good and I had a slide in sector three, which cost me a few tenths of a second. That threw me out of Super Pole, although I could easily have been in it. We will try and do even better tomorrow.”

Outlook

The action continues on Sunday with the ninth round of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship 2019/2020. The drivers and teams will once again be competing on the traditional Formula E circuit in Berlin-Tempelhof. After that race, the track layout will be adjusted on Monday and Tuesday to host the final two races of the season on 12th and 13th August.

Berlin E-Prix (Round 7)

After finishing second on the previous day, it was the fifth time this season that the 38-year-old (DE) has scored points in the drivers’ and team standings. His team-mate Neel Jani (CH) finished 15th in the #18 Porsche 99X Electric.

In the Drivers’ Championship, Lotterer is now in eighth position with 45 points. Having accumulated the same number of points after the first of three ‘double-headers’ at Berlin-Tempelhof, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is also eighth in the overall standings.

The qualifying

Having reached Super Pole three times in a row, Lotterer missed out this time around. In the second start group, he recorded a time of 1:07.285 minutes to secure 12th place. Jani qualified in 20th position with a time of 1:07.640 minutes, but gained one grid position due to a penalty imposed on another driver.

The race

As had been the case in qualifying, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team drivers were confronted with grip conditions during the race that differed significantly from those on Wednesday. The early phase proceeded without any major events. Lotterer completed the first lap in 13th, while Jani remained in 19th place. The Porsche duo had switched to ‘Attack Mode’ when a full-course yellow neutralised the field just before the halfway point meaning that neither driver was able to take full advantage of the additional power. Nonetheless, both Lotterer and Jani continued to improve as the race progressed. The German driver moved into tenth in the final seconds before his second ‘Attack Mode’ expired and then secured ninth with a great overtaking manoeuvre just before the end. Jani worked his way up to 15th place.

Reactions to the Berlin E-Prix

Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E): “That was a harder day for us. We were a little bit outside the window in qualifying and ended up in the middle of the field. During the race it's hard work then. We are still learning but we managed to score points which is positive.”

Neel Jani (Porsche 99X Electric, #18): “I made a mistake in the first sector during qualifying, which meant that I had to start from a long way back. I was able to make up a few places but I struggled a bit with the handling as the race progressed. We will have to take a look at the reasons for that. The good thing is that we still have four races to go.”

André Lotterer (Porsche 99X Electric, #36): “I started from 12th and made it into the points. Of course, I would have preferred to have finished a bit higher up. If you look at our pace yesterday, it actually looked promising, but the car just didn't feel quite as good today. However, we were able to gather plenty of data.”

Outlook

After the first ‘double-header’, drivers and team members can now rest and recuperate for a day. The season continues with races eight and nine on Saturday and Sunday. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will be battling for more top results on the regular Formula E circuit in Berlin. The final two races will then take place on a new track layout on 12th and 13th August.

Berlin E-Prix (Round 6)

A successful start to the Formula E season finale at the home race in Berlin saw André Lotterer (DE) secure the second spot on the podium for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team to continue his debut season in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. At the sixth race of the season in Berlin (DE), he crossed the finish line in second place in his #36 Porsche 99X Electric. Lotterer and the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team secured the same position at the season-opener in Diriyah (SA). In the second #18 Porsche 99X Electric, Neel Jani (CH) crossed the line in 13th place, before being moved up to eleventh thanks to a penalty and a disqualification imposed on two other drivers.

The qualifying

Lotterer once again delivered great pace in qualifying. The Mexico City E-Prix pole-setter took to the circuit in the second start group, securing fifth place with a time of 1:07.454 minutes. That translated to Lotterer's third consecutive participation in Super Pole. At one point during the competition for the six fastest drivers, Lotterer posted a best time of 1:07.235 minutes. He fell back to third place but that proved to be a promising starting point for the race. Jani completed his fastest lap in the fourth qualifying group, reaching 18th place in 1:08.014 minutes. The Swiss driver gained one grid position thanks to a penalty imposed on another driver.

The race

Lotterer was able to defend third place at the start and continued to do so throughout the early stage of the race. The safety car appeared on track after an accident at the 15-minute mark. Lotterer remained in third place after the restart, only to fall back a few minutes later as he attempted to activate his ‘Attack Mode’. He managed to reclaim third place around 15 minutes before the end and held on until activating his second ‘Attack Mode’ with eight minutes remaining and falling back to fifth. Lotterer was however able regain ground, making second place his own with another overtaking manoeuvre on the final lap.

Jani remained in 17th place after the start. He gained two places for a while before falling back to 17th position. During the closing stage, he battled his way back up to cross the line in 13th and was classified in eleventh place.

Reactions to the Berlin E-Prix

Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E): “A fantastic result. We have worked very hard over the past months and we wanted to make a strong reappearance on the racetrack. The result is superb for the entire team. We wanted to record a podium by the end of the season and managed that in the first race. It is fantastic to come back after such a long break and celebrate a podium finish right away. We can all be delighted and proud of what we have achieved. Many thanks to everyone in the team. Now we are looking forward in anticipation to the five races ahead of us.”

Neel Jani (Porsche 99X Electric, #18): “I had hoped to make it into the top ten in qualifying, but after the first two corners, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I started the race further back and wanted to make up a few places, which I did manage to do just before the end. All in all, I am pleased with the result and I am looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”

André Lotterer (Porsche 99X Electric, #36): “I didn’t make a perfect start but I was able to hold my position. The pace was not so good during the first few laps so I was concentrating on defending but then I got into a good rhythm. I made a mistake when I attempted to activate my ‘Attack Mode’. I then had to hold off the cars behind me, and that was no easy task but we stayed calm as a team and were able to get everything back under control. That was also because I had a very good car. The work we put in during the racing break really paid off. It feels fantastic to reach the podium in second place and we should not forget that we are a new team. Today, we showed how strong we can be in the race. That is almost more pleasing than the result itself.”

The outlook

The drivers and teams have hardly any time to relax after the sixth race of the season. The seventh race will take place at the same location, just 24 hours after the Formula E ‘restart’. Once again, drivers will be competing on the reverse layout of the regular Berlin Tempelhof Formula E circuit. They then have a rest day before races eight and nine take place on the regular Formula E circuit, before Season 6 of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship concludes with another double-header on a new track layout on 12th and 13th August.

The preview: Berlin E-Prix questions and answers

After five months without racing, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team travelled highly motivated to Berlin-Tempelhof (DE), where six races between today and 13th August will decide the outcome of the Team and Driver Championships. There are still plenty of points up for grabs for André Lotterer (DE) and Neel Jani (CH). In the following preview, the two regular drivers in the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team provide exclusive information on their work in the simulator and fascinating insights into the team’s preparations for the season finale. Latest video material can be found attached.

Neel Jani (Porsche works driver, #18)

How high is the anticipation ahead of the next six Formula E races?

“This is the longest break from racing I have ever had in my motorsport career so far so it is all the nicer to finally be able to focus on our sport again. In Berlin, we have the opportunity to gain more experience and to convert it into results within the very short amount of time we have between races. I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead and can hardly wait to get back in the car.”

What are your expectations of the season finale?

“The season finale is virtually a championship in its own right. This is presumably the first time anyone has ever experienced six races in nine days. That may provide unique opportunities. The championship is still wide open, which obviously makes it all extremely exciting. With just five races to this point, our rookie season has been very short so far. With that in mind, my goals for Berlin are to gain more experience and finish in the points in all the remaining races.”

André Lotterer (Porsche works driver, #36)

What do the six home races at Berlin-Tempelhof mean to you?

“I am very much looking forward to finally going racing again after such a long break. The fact that we immediately have six home races at Berlin-Tempelhof is great. Like all the other teams, we have some challenging days ahead of us. We are well prepared and have spent a lot of time in the simulator. The three different layouts, in particular, will make the finale special. It is obviously a shame that there cannot be any fans at the circuit in Berlin, but we will do our best to put on an exciting finale.”

What are your goals for the season finale?

“As a team, we obviously want to finish our rookie season as strongly as possible. We have shown, with our second place in the opening race and pole position in Mexico, that the Porsche 99X Electric has the performance to compete at the very front of the field. During the break, we have been able to analyse the data gathered in even greater detail, in order to forge ahead with developments and make systematic improvements. My batteries are recharged, so I can hardly wait to get back in the car. It is about time we returned to the racetrack and showed how much we love motorsport.”

Amiel Lindesay (Head of Operations Formula E)

What is your assessment of the three layouts?

“The three different configurations will make the finale even more exciting than it was already set to be. The characteristic changes completely between the standard and reverse layout. The third, completely new layout, looks impressive. Respect to the planning and organisation that Formula E and the FIA have done to make a track like this possible! The different characteristics of the circuits have given us plenty of work to do in our preparations. However, we are in good spirits and are totally on track.”

What are the goals for the conclusion to the rookie season?

“The whole team has prepared meticulously for the season finale over the past few months. Therefore, we went to Berlin optimistically. We can hardly wait to be back at the racetrack and focussing on motorsport – even if it is in special conditions. We have proved in previous races that we can challenge for victory in our rookie season. For this reason, the goal is a clear one: the podium. The unique situation means that more than half of the races in this Formula E season will take place in Berlin. That means that anything is possible in the Driver and Team competitions. We will do everything we can to end our first season with a big points haul.”

Everything you need to know about the Berlin E-Prix

The format

As a result of the enforced break in racing, due to the coronavirus crisis, the current Formula E season was suspended for five months. To conclude Season 6, a total of six races will take place, divided into three double-headers (5^th/6^th August, 8^th/9^th August and 12^th/13^th August). The first race day includes two free practice sessions. The first lasts 45 minutes, the second 30 minutes. In qualifying, the drivers will be divided into four groups. In their respective groups, they then have six minutes to set their fastest lap time. The top six from all the groups qualify for the 20-minute Super Pole, which determines who will start the race from the front, second and third rows of the grid. The race lasts 45 minutes plus one lap. The itinerary for race 7, on 6^th August, is virtually identical, but with just one 45-minute practice session. The programme for the two following double-headers (8^th/9^th August and 12^th/13^th August) is identical to that for the first double-header.

The tracks

The six Formula E races at Berlin-Tempelhof will take place on three different layouts:

Races 6 & 7: opposite direction to last year’s race

Races 8 & 9: regular layout from last season

Races 10 & 11: new layout

The timings

The first and second race of the Berlin E-Prix will be broadcast live on Eurosport 1 from 19:00-20:00 pm CEST. Further broadcast timings will be communicated from Formula E.

Further information on the six races in Berlin-Tempelhof will be published live on the Twitter channel of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team: @PorscheFormulaE. A detailed report will follow after each race.