As the Formula E season heads into the decisive round in London, Florian Modlinger, team principal for Tag Heuer Porsche, has expressed both pride and determination as the team aims to secure its first teams’ and manufacturers’ championship.
Speaking during a media session attended by Pit Debrief, Modlinger recalled last year’s remarkable victory at the Excel London Circuit, where Pascal Wehrlein claimed Porsche’s first drivers’ title in Formula E.
“Clearly, this is a very special venue,” Modlinger said. “The memories we have from last year, which was a great success, first world championship title for Porsche in Formula E, and also how we achieved it here, and therefore always very happy to come back to this place and to this racetrack.”
Maintaining their championship lead
Unlike last season, where Wehrlein fought back late, Porsche arrived at the London E-Prix leading both the teams’ and manufacturers’ standings. However, Modlinger remains cautious about their advantage heading into the final double-header.
“The gaps are quite small and in other manufacturers it’s really small and the teams have a bit more,” he explained as Porsche leads the teams’ championship with 228 points, Nissan behind with 205, and DS Penske with 168. Porsche also leads the manufacturers’ standings with 342 points, ahead of Nissan with 335 and Jaguar with 279.
“We have to focus on the first race day to have a clean first race day to maximise the points. We are focusing on ourselves, and then we see where we are after the first day and head into the second one.”
A big moment for the Porsche brand
A championship triumph this weekend would be a landmark achievement for Porsche in Formula E, particularly after narrowly missing out on defending the drivers’ title. Modlinger emphasized the team’s collective effort throughout the season.
“I’m very proud of the whole team and the development at home, that we arrived again here and we are able to fight for two world championship titles,” he said. “Yes, the driver’s one is gone, again, congrats to Olli Rowland and Nissan, it was a superb season.”
He continued: “Also, in season nine, we were quite well in the mix on the top, and this consistently being there and fighting for titles. I think under cost cap conditions, it’s a thing which is very special and I’m proud about, and a great job from the whole team and the development team.”
