Pascal Wehrlein recovered from a difficult start to claim a hard-fought podium in a chaotic Formula E race at the Madrid E-Prix. After spinning in qualifying and starting down the order, the Porsche driver navigated early contact, intense midfield battles and shifting strategies with composure. He remained within reach of the leaders through the Pit Boost phase and managed his energy effectively in the closing laps. As rivals fought ahead, Wehrlein seized his opportunity and surged to third, securing valuable points in the championship fight.
Wehrlein fights through early damage to claim unlikely podium at Formula E Madrid E-Prix
Reflecting on the race, Wehrlein admitted he had not expected to fight for a podium after early contact left his car significantly damaged. He struggled with rear balance for much of the race and felt his pace drop as a result, at times resigning himself to finishing just outside the top three. However, a well judged strategy kept him in contention, and by staying close to the cars ahead, he positioned himself to benefit from late race battles, ultimately turning a likely fourth place into a podium finish.
“Yeah, it’s probably one of the nicest third places of my career. Because what happened with Nyck [de Vries], in one of the first laps, where he hit my back and damaged the car quite badly there.”
“I didn’t expect myself to have the pace any more to finish on the podium. And still, throughout the race, I could see myself struggling a little bit more with balance with the rear. So everything just made sense because the rear wing was just hanging around.”
“But yeah, we had a good strategy and in the end, I kind of accepted P4 because I just couldn’t follow. I didn’t have the balance for it. But I still pushed really hard to stay close and maybe capitalise from something happening in front. And that’s exactly what happened. Yeah, pretty happy with that.”
Staying within reach proves key to late podium breakthrough
In the closing laps, Wehrlein remained patient, focusing on staying within striking distance rather than overcommitting. Aware he was no longer in contention for the win, he concentrated on maintaining pressure on the cars ahead while keeping a safe margin behind. That approach proved decisive, as he was ready to take advantage of any small mistake or opportunity in front. Given the damage and limitations he had faced throughout the race, the late gain reinforced his satisfaction with securing an unlikely podium.
“No, I would do that by default. You know, trying to stay close and maybe benefit from a situation. On the other hand, I had quite a good gap to I think Edo[ardo] Mortara it was behind me. But yeah, I mean, it’s clear you want to stay close, and you want to benefit if something happens. Even if just someone goes a little bit wide, you can maybe take the position.”
“So that’s what I tried. Two laps, three laps to the end, it was clear. I was not in the fight for the win today. For me, it was even clearer before. But yeah, even more happy with a podium today because the whole race, I didn’t expect to be in that position. And that’s why I’m pretty happy.”
Wehrlein manages race despite fears over rear wing damage
Wehrlein also admitted there had been concern about whether the damage to his car might force him out of the 2026 Formula E Madrid E-Prix. With his rear wing compromised, he was aware the situation could have escalated if it deteriorated further or made contact again. In the end, the issue stabilised, and he avoided more serious consequences, allowing him to continue without intervention and bring the car home on the podium.
“I thought about it in case it would touch a tyre or like, you know, if that situation gets worse. I was just praying that, you know, it wouldn’t get worse. We’ve seen those situations very often. In the end, it didn’t. Luckily, no one else touched it again because then I’m pretty sure that it would have been completely off. But yeah, I don’t know. I guess I was lucky with it still being attached to the car and not doing or not being in a worse situation.”
