The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team successfully braved the extreme weather conditions in Jakarta again on Sunday, in temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius and with a humidity of 70 percent. After the team from Weissach secured their fourth win of the season overall in race 10 on Saturday to retake the lead in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Pascal Wehrlein followed suit in race 11 on Sunday and moved back up into first place in the drivers' standings. After his superb victory the day before, he did enough by finishing in sixth place in the fiercely contested second scorching race at the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit. His team-mate António Félix da Costa crossed the finish line in seventh place after 38 laps.
In the teams' standings of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is sitting at the top of the table with 212 points after eleven of 16 races, ahead of Envision Racing (190), Jaguar (171) and Avalanche Andretti (156). Pascal Wehrlein leads the drivers' standings with 134 points, followed by Jake Dennis (GBR/133), who finished in second place for the Porsche customer team Avalanche Andretti in both Jakarta races. António Félix da Costa (78) is sixth, André Lotterer (GER/23) is in 14th place. He was unable to compete in Indonesia due to his involvement in the official test for the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche Penske Motorsport. David Beckmann, his stand-in in the Porsche 99X Electric of Avalanche Andretti, was forced to retire from his second-ever Formula E race after seven laps, through no fault of his own.
Race 11
Pascal Wehrlein made it into the duels in qualifying once again and started the race from sixth on the grid in his Porsche 99X Electric. And, after having moved up into fourth place temporarily, it was in this position that he crossed the finish line. António Félix da Costa moved up four places, starting from P11, to contribute important points to a good team result in seventh place.
Quotes from the Jakarta E-Prix, race 11
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “That was another strong performance from the whole team in extreme conditions today, huge thanks to everyone involved. We leave Jakarta leading both the teams' and drivers' world championships. This is a good base for the five remaining races of the season. However, we will need to keep working hard and try to keep extending our lead little by little. The race for the title is very close and promises to be exciting down to the wire.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche factory driver (#94): “After my win on Saturday, I’m delighted that I was able to regain the lead in the championship today. Overall, things were a bit more difficult today. I had to start from the dirty side of the track and lost a position right at the start. I tried to move up the field, but it was very difficult to overtake. With the championship in mind, I didn't want to take too many risks.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche factory driver (#13): “I made a mistake in qualifying, which cost me a better starting position. I was able to move up a few positions in the race. Together with Pascal, I wanted to secure as many points for the team as possible. Which we managed. Overall, Jakarta was a success for Porsche, with the lead in both championships. Huge thanks to the team, who did a fantastic job once again in these difficult conditions.”
Next up
The next race for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is the Portland E-Prix in the USA on 24 June, race 12 in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Porsche in Formula E
In 2023, the squad contests its fourth season in the world’s first all-electric racing series with the new Porsche 99X Electric. Avalanche Andretti fields two Porsche 99X Electric as the first Porsche customer team in Formula E. As an accelerator for innovative and sustainable mobility technologies, Formula E has brought thrilling motorsport to people living in major cities since 2014. With the all-electric Taycan Turbo S, Porsche again supplies the official safety car, and thus underlines the importance of Formula E for Porsche Motorsport.
Race 10
Success for Porsche at the prelude of the Jakarta E-Prix: At the wheel of his Porsche 99X Electric, Pascal Wehrlein won race 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in the Indonesian capital on Saturday. Thanks to this victory, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has reclaimed the lead in the team classification.
With temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius and 75 percent humidity, the 22 drivers faced extreme conditions at the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit. Pascal Wehrlein put in an immaculate drive in his Porsche 99X Electric to clinch his third win of the season and thus slash the gap to the top of the drivers’ standing to just two points. His teammate António Félix da Costa earned all-important points for eighth place. This was the fourth win so far this season for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.
Spectators in the packed grandstands were treated to a gripping race and an exceptional performance from the Porsche 99X Electric: Driving for the Porsche customer team Avalanche Andretti, Jake Dennis (GBR) – the winner of the season opener in Mexico – finished in second place behind the winner Pascal Wehrlein with the electric racing car developed in Weissach. David Beckmann (GER) also performed well at his Formula E debut: The test and reserve driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team and Avalanche Andretti replaced regular driver André Lotterer (GER) in the second customer Porsche and finished in P17.
Ahead of race 11 on Sunday, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has regained the lead in the teams’ classification with 198 points, followed by Envision Racing (189), Jaguar (156) and Avalanche Andretti (137). Pascal Wehrlein ranks second in the drivers’ championship with 126 points just two points behind Nick Cassidy (NZL/128). Jake Dennis (114) lies third with António Félix da Costa (72) in sixth. André Lotterer (23) occupies P13.
Thanks to his best qualifying performance of the season, Pascal Wehrlein started the sweltering race on the 2.37-kilometre Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit from P3. In lap four, he promptly swept into the lead with his Porsche 99X Electric. With the activation of Attack Mode, he briefly lost the lead but regained it lap twelve. Putting in a commanding performance, the winner of the Diriyah doubleheader fended off his pursuers to clinch his third win of the season. His teammate and Cape Town winner António Félix da Costa tackled the race from P15 and fought his way up the order and into the points with eighth place after a solid drive.
Comments on the Jakarta E-Prix, Race 10
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport: “Unbelievable. We kicked off this season extremely well but then experienced a bit of a slump and lost our world championship lead in Monaco. Today we showed that we still have what it takes. We’re back and there’s only one direction for the rest of the season: we want to be world champions, no question.”
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “What a sensational win for Pascal. To lead for almost the entire race and beat the strong competition was a terrific achievement. The team at the racetrack and back in Weissach perfectly implemented the strategy we had set ourselves. António also put in a strong drive. Although there were very few overtaking manoeuvres in the race, he ploughed from P15 to P8, which is quite remarkable. We are now back leading the teams’ classification. Another tough day awaits us tomorrow. We are highly motivated and now we’ll focus on reclaiming the lead in the drivers’ standings.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “The last races were difficult for us but we learned the right lessons and came back extremely strong today. Although I started from P3 after my best qualifying session this season, the race wasn’t easy. We spent a lot of time in the lead which meant others used the slipstream and were able to save energy. But thanks to our great strategy, we were able to defend our lead. I’d like to thank the whole team, both here at the track and in Weissach, for their hard work and great support.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): “That was a terrific day for the team with Pascal’s victory and taking the lead in the world championship. I experienced some problems in qualifying and had to start from far down the grid. It was very difficult to overtake today, so I’m delighted that I was able to score a few more points for the team. We’re working hard on making it better for me in the second race tomorrow.”
Next up
Race 11 will be contested in Jakarta on Sunday, 4 June. The worldwide broadcasting schedule of the Formula E is available at: https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/ways-to-watch.
Porsche in Formula E
In 2023, the squad contests its fourth season in the world’s first all-electric racing series with the new Porsche 99X Electric. Avalanche Andretti fields two Porsche 99X Electric as the first Porsche customer team in Formula E. As an accelerator for innovative and sustainable mobility technologies, Formula E has brought thrilling motorsport to people living in major cities since 2014. With the all-electric Taycan Turbo S, Porsche again supplies the official safety car, and thus underlines the importance of Formula E for Porsche Motorsport.
Preview
After the second half of the season got underway with sun, sea and palm trees in the picturesque setting of Monaco, the teams and drivers now prepare to face extreme weather conditions at the Jakarta E-Prix. On top of sweltering temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius and high humidity, the chance of rain could be another decisive factor. While the practice and qualifying sessions are expected to remain dry, tropical showers and violent thunderstorms should not be discounted for the afternoon race.
After celebrating three victories so far this season – more than any other team – the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team heads to races 10 and 11 at the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit well prepared. The Porsche customer squad Avalanche Andretti will also field two Porsche 99X Electric there. Joining forces with Jake Dennis (GBR), David Beckmann (GER), the test and reserve driver of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team and Avalanche Andretti, contests his first Formula E race. He replaces main driver André Lotterer (GER), who will take part in the official test for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (10/11 June) with Porsche Penske Motorsport during the Jakarta weekend.
Ahead of the Formula E event in the Indonesian capital, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team ranks second in the teams’ standings with 169 points behind Envision Racing (182). Avalanche Andretti (119) lies fourth. In the drivers’ classification, Pascal Wehrlein also ranks second with 101 points behind Nick Cassidy (NZL/121). Jake Dennis (96) is third, with António Félix da Costa (68) in sixth. André Lotterer (23) occupies P13.
Q&A on the Jakarta E-Prix
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E
The fight for the Formula E title promises an exciting second half of the season. How do you view the situation heading to Jakarta?
Florian Modlinger: “The top teams are separated by very little in the championship. The teams are extremely evenly matched, and every tenth of a second counts. Jakarta will be a big challenge for us. We’ll have to combine what we’ve learned in the first nine races of this season and continue to implement that knowledge. At the inaugural E-Prix last year, we adapted well to the extreme conditions.”
After an outstanding start to the season with three wins, you lost the championship lead in Monaco. How are the team and drivers dealing with that?
Modlinger: “Nothing is decided in the championship yet. We still have seven races to go, so a lot can happen. Of course, we’d hoped for more in Monaco, but our sights are set on the rest of the season and we’ll work hard to continue to have a say in the battle for the championship titles, for both teams and drivers. We’re expecting to take another big step in Jakarta and bring home significantly more points again.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13)
You started last year’s inaugural race in Jakarta from the front row of the grid. What memories do you have of the country and the track?
António Félix da Costa: “Although I just missed the podium with fourth place, there are a lot of good memories. The crowds were very receptive to Formula E and their enthusiasm created a great atmosphere. The circuit is a medium high-speed track with good grip. After Monaco, we can’t wait to further improve our position in the bid for the title in Jakarta. The heat and high humidity put you under extreme physical stress. But as an athlete, you train for races like this.”
Why has it been so rare for you to secure a good starting position for the race in qualifying lately?
da Costa: “We have a fast racing car. We can’t use this advantage in qualifying at the moment. But we know what we need to work on. It’s only a very small step. We don’t have to try to reinvent the wheel. Even if we manage to qualify in the top 8 or 10, we’d make our lives a lot easier in the race. That’s what we’re aiming to achieve in Jakarta.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94)
In Jakarta, you’ll have to prepare for two races in extreme conditions. What are you expecting?
Pascal Wehrlein: “It’s going to be a hot weekend in every respect. Last year, we adapted well to the conditions, which don’t only affect the drivers and teams, but also the equipment – especially the tyres. After Monaco, we had a little longer to prepare for the doubleheader in Jakarta and to analyse what we perhaps didn’t do quite so well in the last few races. Now, we’re back on the attack.”
How much does it bother you to have lost the championship lead in Monaco?
Wehrlein: “Not a huge amount, there are still too many races ahead of us. Monaco was just a snapshot in the middle of a long season. In Formula E, every race is fiercely contested and, as banal as it sounds, it’s only the points standings after the final race that are decisive. We got off to a great start to the season but didn’t score as well in the last races. Still, with the huge potential of the team and the car, we can turn things around very quickly. In Jakarta, we get two chances to do so.”
The racetrack
The Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit is not a typical street circuit. Located in the provincial district of Ancol close to Jakarta Bay, it resembles a permanent racetrack. The circuit, which was created last year, is only 2.37 kilometres long but features 18 turns. The start-finish straight is one of the longest on the Formula E calendar.
Live TV and Internet coverage
The worldwide broadcasting schedule of the Formula E event in Monaco is available at https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/ways-to-watch
The Media Service
The first photos from Jakarta will be available on the Porsche press database on 2 June. The race reports follow on 3 June (race 10) and 4 June (race 11). Further information about the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will be posted live on the Twitter channel @PorscheFormulaE. All relevant information about the team, the drivers and the racing series can be found in the Porsche Formula E Media Guide at https://media.porsche.com/formula-e. The content will be regularly updated throughout the season and expanded with additional interactive material.
The Porsche 99X Electric
Porsche contests season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with the Porsche 99X Electric. The new electric racing car featuring the Porsche E-Performance Powertrain – which underwent modifications in Weissach for the third generation vehicle in the innovative electric racing series – also serves as a development platform for the sports car manufacturer’s fully-electric production models. Energy management and efficiency are important factors for success in Formula E and Porsche’s all-electric production cars. The maximum output of the Porsche 99X Electric is 350 kW (476 PS), which is 100 kW more than the predecessor generation (Gen2). At least 40 percent of the energy used is recuperated via regenerative braking. The new cars are the fastest, lightest, most powerful and most efficient electric vehicles ever built.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S als Safety Car
Porsche is committed to Formula E safety: With the all-electric Taycan Turbo S, Porsche again supplies the official safety car this season – thus underlining the importance of Formula E for Porsche Motorsport. Thanks to its driveability and safety as well as an output of up to 560 kW (761 PS, Taycan Turbo S: emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 0 g/km, consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 23,4 – 22,0 kWh/100 km, Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 440 – 467 km, Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 524 – 570 km), the top model in the Taycan range is the ideal choice as a safety car in the world’s first electric racing series. The striking paintwork incorporates the colours of all eleven competing teams as well as those of the FIA and Formula E. The design symbolises the joint commitment to the future of all-electric motor racing as well as social values such as diversity and community.
Formula E
Formula E is the world’s first fully-electric racing series bringing thrilling motorsport to people living in major cities since 2014. As an accelerator for innovative and sustainable mobility technologies, it promotes the worldwide acceptance of electric vehicles. Eleven teams tackle the 2022/2023 season with 22 drivers. This guarantees interesting and fiercely competitive races. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team contests its fourth season of the innovative electric racing series with the Porsche 99X Electric.
