In his 100th start in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Pascal Wehrlein claimed a controlled victory in Friday’s Jeddah E-Prix, securing the first win of the season for the Porsche Formula E Team. Starting third, he worked his way to the front before the mandatory Pit Boost phase and held firm after the stops. An early intervention by the Safety car briefly neutralised the race, but once back to green, Wehrlein controlled proceedings. Leading the majority of the 32 laps without the advantage of a slipstream, he showcased the efficiency of the Porsche 99X Electric and crossed the line 2.6 seconds clear, also setting the fastest lap. Team-mate Nico Müller finished fourth, keeping Porsche’s record of scoring with both cars in every race this season intact.
Modlinger hails Wehrlein’s pace and strategy in Jeddah as Porsche secures first win of this Formula E season
Florian Modlinger, Director of Factory Motorsport Formula E, described the outcome as a powerful statement from the factory squad and credited Wehrlein’s commanding display in Jeddah for securing Porsche’s first win of the campaign. He pointed to the German’s speed across the day, noting that aside from a minor setback in the semi-final duel, his race pace and decisive overtakes proved crucial. Modlinger emphasised that the combination of Wehrlein’s performance and the team’s well-judged strategy laid the foundation for victory. He also highlighted Müller’s drive from seventh on the grid, with the Swiss driver running consistently in the leading group before adopting an alternative approach late on to secure fourth place, narrowly missing the podium while keeping momentum ahead of the next race.
“A very strong result for the factory team today. First win of the season with Pascal [Wehrlein], which was achieved in a very impressive way, and it was a demonstration of his speed all day. Only in qualifying in the semi-final duel was there a little hiccup, but the pace he showed in the race, including the overtakes, was impressive. The performance of Pascal [Wehrlein] plus the superb strategy from the team was a key element for this win. On Nico’s [Müller] side, starting from P7, again in the duels, and then a strong race. He was always in the front group and then progressed at the end with a bit of a different strategy to P4. We just missed out on the podium, but we have the clear target for tomorrow to show another strong performance.”
Fine margins and flawless execution deliver milestone victory
Modlinger underlined the fine margins that define Formula E, stressing that even minor errors can carry heavy consequences in such a tightly contested field. He called for continued hard work and full concentration as the season progresses, while expressing gratitude to the personnel at the circuit and at the factory for their collective effort. He also highlighted the significance of the result, marking Wehrlein’s 100th start in the championship with victory and delivering the team’s first success in a Pit Boost race.
“In Formula E, it is so close and if you make little mistakes, it is very costly. So, we need to work hard and stay focused. Thanks to the whole team at home, here at the track and to everyone that supports us. We are very happy with this win for Pascal [Wehrlein] in his 100th Formula E race, our first one in a Pit Boost race.”
Wehrlein celebrates perfect race with Porsche in Jeddah to mark 100th Formula E start
Wehrlein described the victory in Jeddah as a special way to mark his 100th appearance in Formula E, admitting he relished what he called a near-flawless race in the Porsche. He explained that the team delayed both the Pit Boost stop and the activation of Attack Mode, a call he felt proved decisive as he focused on building a gap at the front before managing the pace in the closing stages. Wehrlein enjoyed several intense battles, particularly in the early laps, but emerged in control and credited the team for providing a strong package and executing the strategy to perfection. While he played down the wider championship picture at this stage, he made clear that returning to the top step of the podium after a difficult spell meant a great deal.
“It is a very nice win today and a nice way to celebrate my 100th race in Formula E. It was a perfect race, I had a lot of fun. We waited a bit with the Pit Boost and then also the Attack Mode, but I think it was the right strategy. I just tried to extend the lead. In the end, I could just manage the pace. I had good fights, pretty tough ones especially at the start, but we came through it. Big thank you to the team for the car they gave me and for the perfect strategy. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season. The championship is not too relevant right now. I just wanted to win badly. It’s been a while, and it’s great to bounce back like that.”
Müller targets more points after aggressive charge to fourth
Müller expressed satisfaction with a strong haul of points and shared his delight at seeing his team-mate secure the win for Porsche. He acknowledged the extensive preparation that went into the first Pit Boost race of the season, especially given the uncertainties surrounding the format, and felt that groundwork translated into a competitive performance for both cars. Müller revealed that an assertive tactical approach almost carried him onto the podium, although he admitted there were elements that could have been executed better. Even so, he viewed fourth place as a solid return and turned his focus firmly to the opportunity to score again in the next race.
“Happy with today, lots of points and super pleased for Pascal and the whole team. They have put a lot of effort into preparing for the first Pit Boost race of the year. There were a lot of unknowns going into the race, but I think the preparation paid off. Both cars scored good points, and it was the first win for the team this season. I nearly got P3, and our aggressive strategy worked. We did not fully optimise it, though. So, there is something to take away. We go again tomorrow for more points!”
