TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team without points for the first time this season
At the racing premiere of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on the rain-soaked Ricardo Tormo Circuit near Valencia, the Porsche 99X Electric fielded by the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team did not finish. Pascal Wehrlein (GER / start number 99) finished the fifth race of the season, which was characterized by numerous incidents, in the pits and was not classified. In Rome he had last achieved the first podium of the season. His team mate André Lotterer (GER / start number 36) also retired from the race. This meant that the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team went without points for the first time this season.
The race 5
After his strong performance in Rome, Pascal Wehrlein was unable to intervene in the battle for the top positions in Valencia. He started in ninth place and drove a solid race, but had to pit shortly before the finish due to a technical problem with the brakes for safety reasons. André Lotterer only missed the Super Pole qualifying by two hundredths of a second and nevertheless tackled the race from fifth position because two competitors in front of him were postponed. Because of a collision he caused at the chicane on the first lap and the resulting drive-through penalty, he fell back to the end of the field. In the final phase he was able to catch up a few positions, but ended up off the track after a collision with a competitor.
Quotes about the Valencia E-Prix, Race 5
Amiel Lindesay, Head of Operations Formula E: “A contact shortly after the start and a technical problem with the brakes unfortunately cost us important points today. We did well in terms of pace and energy. About five minutes before the finish, both vehicles had a technical problem with the brakes. It was a difficult race for us. We'll analyze it in detail and attack again on Sunday. "
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (# 99):“The day actually started well. We could be satisfied with tenth place in qualifying because I started in the first group. We were strong at the beginning of the race and I was able to make up a few positions. Towards the end, when I was in sixth place, I unfortunately had to pit and park the car due to problems with the brakes. We now have to see why that was and concentrate on tomorrow. "
André Lotterer, Porsche works driver (# 36): " Fifth place on the grid was good. Unfortunately, I couldn't prevent the collision with Sébastien (Buemi) on the first lap. I was back in the race later, but retired due to problems with the brakes. Now it's time to keep your head up and concentrate on tomorrow. ”
So it goes on
Race 6 in Valencia will take place on Sunday 25 April. The start is at 2 p.m. CEST. Sat.1 will broadcast live from 1.30 p.m. A live stream can be seen on ran.de.
Porsche in Formula E.
With the Porsche 99X Electric, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team will contest its second season in Formula E in 2021. André Lotterer made a successful racing debut in November 2019 when he finished second in the season opener in Diriyah. A tailor-made debut and proof that Porsche had a competitive vehicle at the start with the Porsche 99X Electric. This was impressively underlined by the first pole position in Mexico City and another second place in the home race in Berlin. Formula E is the world's first fully electric racing series and, as an accelerator for innovative and sustainable mobility technologies, has been bringing exciting motorsport to people in the metropolises since 2014. This season, in which a driver and team world champion is being crowned for the first time, there are more automobile manufacturers at the start than in any other racing series. The races are correspondingly interesting and highly competitive.