Race 8
For the Porsche customer squad Avalanche Andretti, the trip to Berlin, which has hosted Formula E every season, was well worth it. Jake Dennis (GBR), the winner of the opening round in Mexico, secured second place with his Porsche 99X Electric, while his teammate André Lotterer (GER) finished on P21.
After eight of 16 races, Pascal Wehrlein still leads the drivers’ championship of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship after the first half of the season with 100 points, followed by Nick Cassidy (NZL/96) and Jean-Éric Vergne (FRA/81). Jake Dennis ranks fourth with 80 points, António Félix da Costa lies sixth with 68 points. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team retains its lead in the teams classification with 168 points ahead of Envision Racing (153). Avalanche Andretti occupies fifth place with 103 points.
After an improved performance in qualifying compared to the previous day, Pascal Wehrlein lined up on the grid in P6 with António Félix da Costa in P10. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team drivers activated Attack Mode twice in the first half of the race and steadily gained ground to establish themselves among the leading pack. For several laps, the pair spearheaded the field with Pascal Wehrlein at the front. In the final phase of the race which saw numerous changes at the top, they lost hope for a podium finish but still scored valuable championship points for themselves and the team.
Comments on the Berlin E-Prix, race 8
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “Our home races in Berlin marked a very successful end to the first half of the season. We have underlined that we’re competitive on a wide range of different circuits. In this race, Pascal and António fought their way into the top three over the first laps with some great overtaking moves and at times even led the race. In the duels with other vehicles, they then lost positions. The race became so fast in the end that it would’ve been hugely risky to overtake. Still, we’ve earned valuable points towards the championship. We’re leading both classifications and will now focus on continuing to bring home strong results in the second half of the season.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): “That was a great race for us as a team. We made big progress and at times led the field with both cars. In the last ten or twelve laps, we made some unfortunate decisions which cost us positions. Even though we had more energy than our rivals, at some point it was simply too late to attack again. It’s a bit disappointing but we showed how good we are in the race. Now we need to improve a little more in qualifying and then we’ll be where we want to be.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “I’m pleased to head into the second half of the season as the leader of the drivers’ standings. That’s one positive we’re taking from Berlin. Otherwise, today was a race of missed opportunities. More would definitely have been possible for us. It’s a shame that we couldn’t treat the many Porsche fans at the track to a victory.”
Next up
The next race for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is the Monaco E-Prix on 6 May, which is round 9 of 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 7
In sunshine and spring temperatures, spectators were in for a treat at round one of the Berlin E-Prix. On the historic Tempelhof airfield, the 22 drivers with their fully electric racing cars gave a thrilling and action-packed show with fierce battles for positions and a total of eight different changes at the front of the pack – a new Formula E record.
As the best driver of the Porsche customer team squad Avalanche Andretti, André Lotterer (GER) turned the fastest race lap and took the flag in eighth place. His teammate Jake Dennis (GBR) finished on P18. After seven of 16 races in season 9, Pascal Wehrlein leads the drivers’ championship of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with 94 points, followed by Nick Cassidy (NZL/71) and Jean-Éric Vergne (FRA/66). Jake Dennis ranks fifth (62), António Félix da Costa seventh (58) and André Lotterer eleventh (23). The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team leads the team classification with 152 points, 24 points ahead of Envision Racing. Avalanche Andretti occupies fifth place with 85 points.
It could have been António Félix da Costa’s race: after starting from P19 on the grid, he fought his way up the order at the wheel of his No. 13 Porsche 99X Electric to fourth position – only to be forced into the pits in the last quarter of the race after becoming entangled in another competitor’s collision. Starting from P15, his teammate Pascal Wehrlein gained nine positions in the No. 94 car during the race, which was interrupted by two safety car phases, and ultimately brought home points for sixth place.
Comments on the Berlin E-Prix, race 7
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “That was a spectacular first race at our home event with lots of thrills and spills. Our drivers concentrated on working their way up the field from their grid positions and they did a good job. António was in fourth place and on track for a very good result. But very unfortunately he was then knocked out of the race and couldn’t do a thing about it. That’s such a shame, he could’ve earned very important points. Pascal progressed from P15 to sixth, scored critical points for the championship and held on to his lead in the drivers' standings. It was a good conclusion to the race for him but not so much for the team. Now we need to make sure we bring home more points tomorrow.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “At the end of the day we can be satisfied. I took off from P15 and ultimately scored important points for sixth place. We definitely need to improve our qualifying performance. Tomorrow we get another chance and we’ll do our very best to make the most of it.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): “We didn’t quite find the ideal car setup in qualifying and P19 was the price we paid for that. But this team never gives up. We worked hard and, as always this season, had a great car for the race. It was an incredible event. We made up a lot of ground and I was running fourth with about ten laps to go. Then another car hit me and my race was over. It’s such a shame. You work hard to prepare in the simulator and then one of your rivals’ makes a mistake and you’re out. Well, that’s racing. We’ll be back in full force tomorrow.”
Next up
Race 8 will be contested in Berlin on Sunday, 23 April. The worldwide broadcasting schedule of the Formula E event in Berlin 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
The situation for Porsche at the Formula E round in Berlin looks promising: the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team heads to the doubleheader event at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit on 22 and 23 April as the leader of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s team classification. Pascal Wehrlein currently ranks first in the drivers’ standings. Four Porsche 99X Electric will tackle the Berlin E-Prix. Berlin has always been a popular destination for Formula E: it is the only city that has hosted the innovative electric racing series every year since its 2014 premiere season. The fascinating metropolis once again offers Formula E and Porsche a stage to showcase thrilling motor racing and future-oriented mobility solutions. In this way, Formula E gives visitors the chance to experience the many facets of electromobility in an entertaining way. The event includes an exhibition of technical innovations and a diverse entertainment programme for the whole family.
The new Porsche 99X Electric celebrates its German debut in Berlin. At the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit, the high-speed course on the apron of the historic airport, motor racing fans get the chance to experience four of the third-generation (Gen3) electric racing cars developed in Weissach. Two are fielded by the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team with drivers Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa, with the other two campaigned by Porsche’s customer team Avalanche Andretti with Jake Dennis (GBR) and André Lotterer (GER). So far this season, the Porsche 99X Electric has won four of six races: Pascal Wehrlein won both night races in Diriyah, Antònio Félix da Costa clinched victory in Cape Town and Jake Dennis dominated in Mexico City.
Porsche heads to its home event – races 7 and 8 – in Berlin with Pascal Wehrlein leading the drivers’ standings with 86 points ahead of Jake Dennis (62). With 58 points to his credit, António Félix da Costa ranks fifth. André Lotterer occupies P13 with 18 points. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team sits at the top of the team classification with 144 points followed by Envision Racing (103). Avalanche Andretti (80) is fifth.
The day after the Berlin E-Prix, the official Formula E rookie test will be held at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit. For the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, the test and reserve driver David Beckmann (GER) and the Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific selected driver Yifei Ye (CHN) will take part with the Porsche 99X Electric.
Q&A on the Berlin E-Prix
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E
You’re heading to your home races in Berlin as the world championship leaders. How does that feel and are these races particularly special for Porsche?
“Of course, it’s nice to travel to our home races as the leaders in both world championship categories. We are particularly looking forward to it because some of our families, friends and colleagues from the Weissach Development Centre will be in the grandstands supporting us. We tackle these races like all the others. We prepare meticulously. However, a home race is something special, of course, especially set against the unique backdrop of the historic Tempelhof Airfield.”
What can you do in Berlin to make Formula E even more popular in Germany?
“First and foremost, we’re a racing team. Our job is to win races. After our three victories this season, we’ll continue to work hard to fight for top positions. Aside from that, with our wins and the spectacular racing with the new Gen 3 cars, we’re already well on the way to making Formula E even more popular in Germany. The broadcasting of all races on free TV also contributes greatly to this.”
How do you rate the Formula E situation as the first half of the season comes to an end?
“We had a sensational start. Three wins from six races is a fantastic record to begin with. Ever since Porsche started in Formula E, no other team has earned as many points after six races as we have. For us, it’s now about taking the next step on our evolution path and also delivering strong performances in the future.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13)
You have good memories of Berlin. You won two races there in 2020. How excited are you to return there with Porsche?
“That was crazy. Because of the pandemic, we contested six races in a row in Berlin at the end of the season, without spectators unfortunately. I won two of them and now I hope to build on this achievement with the Porsche 99X Electric. Driving for Porsche in Berlin means a lot to me. The city is fantastic and the circuit on the old airfield is unique. It’s very short and the lap times will be close, so you can’t afford to make the slightest mistake. It’d be great if we could thank the German fans for their support with a home win for Porsche.”
In Cape Town you celebrated your first victory with Porsche. In São Paulo you narrowly missed out on a podium result. What do you expect in Berlin?
“Our team made a really great start to the new season. We’ve demonstrated that we are fast and can win races on very different racetracks. There is no reason why we shouldn’t continue our strong form in Berlin and fight for victory. Especially given that we didn’t put our feet up during the break since São Paulo but have worked hard to keep improving.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94)
Two races in Berlin. How special is it for you and your team to be the world championship leaders and what are you expecting in the capital?
“Contesting races in Germany is always something special. It’s a terrific feeling to turn up for our fans as the most successful team so far this season. I’m looking forward to Berlin, to the city and the people. But it won’t be easy for us or any of the other teams. The asphalt on the old airfield in Tempelhof is totally different from the surface on other Formula E circuits. It requires a completely different setup for the cars and the tyres. We need to work this out in the shortest possible time during the practice sessions and then implement it as perfectly as possible in qualifying and the race. If we manage this, we can also be competitive in Berlin. I’m optimistic we can do this.”
The first half of the season comes to an end with the races in Berlin. Do you think you’ll start the second half of the season as the world championship leaders?
“I’m very confident that we can be at the top until the end of the season. We started the new season better than ever before and we deserve to be at the top. Of course, you mustn’t forget that there are still ten races to go including Berlin. But I’m convinced that we’ll continue to impress with strong performances.”
The circuit
The 2.355-kilometre Tempelhof Airport Street Course with its ten turns is not a typical Formula E city circuit. The old concrete surface on the apron section of the historic airfield throws big challenges at the drivers and teams, particularly when it comes to tyre wear and energy management. On the other hand, the fast circuit offers many opportunities to overtake – which promises two thrilling, action-packed races. This year, both races will be driven in an anti-clockwise direction.
Live TV and Internet coverage
The worldwide broadcasting schedule of the Formula E event in Berlin is available at: https://www.fiaformulae.com/watch/ways-to-watch.
The Media Service
The first photos from Berlin will be available on the Porsche press database on 21 April. The race reports follow on 22 April (race 7) and 23 April (race 8). 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 Gen3. 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 Gen3 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 Gen3 cars are the fastest, lightest, most powerful and most efficient electric vehicles ever built.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S 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), 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 Gen3.
