But the German carmaker also competes in the 2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, where open-wheeled single-seaters with battery-electric drivetrains have been slugging it out since 2014.
At the latest round in Jakarta, Indonesia, Porsche made a strong showing, with Pascal Wehrlein winning in Race 10 to regain the team championship lead. This was despite searing temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius with 75 percent humidity, which can take a toll on electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, Wehrlein’s sixth-place finish in Race 11 moved him back to the top of the drivers’ championship stakes. Conditions were similar to the day before, with a grueling 34 degrees Celsius with 70 percent humidity.
Comfortable lead
PHOTO FROM PORSCHE NEWSROOM.
The team is now at 212 points after 11 of 16 races, ahead of Envision Racing (190), Jaguar (171) and Porsche customer team Avalanche Andretti (156).
In the drivers' standings, Wehrlein leads with 134 points, followed by Jake Dennis (GBR/133), who finished in second place for Avalanche Andretti in both Jakarta races.
“That was another strong performance from the whole team in extreme conditions today, huge thanks to everyone involved,” said Porsche Formula E motorsport director Florian Modlinger.
“We leave Jakarta leading both the teams' and drivers' world championships,” he added. “This is a good base for the five remaining races of the season. However, we will need to keep working hard and try to keep extending our lead little by little. The race for the title is very close and promises to be exciting down to the wire.”
Porsche Formula E driver Pascal Wehrlein in Jakarta, Indonesia. PHOTO FROM PORSCHE NEWSROOM.
Meanwhile, Wehrlein said he was satisfied with the race weekend, in spite of a tough start in Race 11.
“After my win on Saturday, I’m delighted that I was able to regain the lead in the championship today,” he said. “I had to start from the dirty side of the track and lost a position right at the start. I tried to move up the field, but it was very difficult to overtake. With the championship in mind, I didn't want to take too many risks.”
The next race is the Portland E-Prix in the United States on June 24, 2023.
PHOTO FROM PORSCHE NEWSROOM.
Porsche also supplies the official Formula E safety car, a Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
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An award-winning multimedia journalist, editor, and host for online and TV who has written in-depth stories on road safety and the Philippine elections. Outside of the media, VJ is an accomplished motorsports champion, English teacher, and dancer.
