In a spectacular scenario held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Formula E inaugurated its long-awaited Gen3 era, with the most powerful electric single-seater in the world.
On the first day of season 9, Avalanche Andretti driver Jake Dennis had a superb performance to win the Hankook E-Prix held in the Mexican capital.
Dennis moved up from second on the grid to win the race ahead of Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche), who started from sixth to finish second, and Mahindra Racing’s Lucas di Grassi, who slipped from Julius Baer Pole Position to finish third.
Spectacular Framework
After the race, Dennis was given a standing ovation by the crowd of more than 40,000 fans who witnessed the historic debut of the Gen3, a race car that performs at the cutting edge of innovation and pushes the limits of electrified technology.
The Andretti driver showed his talent on lap 12 when he pulled off a great maneuver to take the lead over Lucas di Grassi. From there, Dennis extended his dominance and, through three safety car periods, was able to take the lead and beat Wehrlein by seven seconds.
Last year’s winner in Mexico, Wehrlein, managed an eventual 11-second margin over third-placed di Grassi after moving up from sixth on the grid, with German manufacturer Porsche finishing with four of its engines in the top ten.
Although di Grassi started on pole, he found himself on the defensive entering the final third of the race and it took all the Brazilian’s guile to deflect pressure from NEOM McLaren Formula E Team’s Jake Hughes in the closing stages.
Off the Podium
Fifth place was no disappointment for Hughes on his debut; the rookie has performed more than impressively since taking the McLaren seat at the Valencia test.
Season 6 champion António Félix da Costa added to Porsche’s tally with seventh place on the day, fighting his way up the points positions at the end of the race with a late Attack Mode.
Mitch Evans, meanwhile, quietly claimed points and eighth for Jaguar TCS Racing, while reigning champion Stoffel Vandoorne could only drive his DS PENSKE to a single point from 14th on the grid.
