The 2024 Formula E season came to an electrifying conclusion with a dramatic finale in London. TAG Heuer Porsches’ Pascal Wehrlein emerged as the new Formula E World Champion.
The 2024 Formula E season came to an electrifying conclusion with a dramatic finale in London. Pascal Wehrlein emerged as the new Formula E World Champion after a nail-biting race that saw him finish second, clinching the title by a narrow margin. Despite a home victory for Oliver Rowland, it was Wehrlein’s strategic prowess and consistent performance throughout the season that secured his championship win.
“Every day, every morning, every evening and every time training I believed in this – I told myself, ‘you can do this’. We executed it perfectly here from the first time we hit the track and were as strong as we’ve ever been – stronger. I’ll celebrate with my team and we’ll properly celebrate tonight and collect those trophies!”
-Pascal Wehrlein
Mitch Evans, representing Jaguar, finished third in the race and second in the overall standings, having missed out on the title due to a late-race strategic error. The thrilling finale also saw Nick Cassidy’s championship hopes dashed following a collision. Sébastien Buemi crossed the finish line in fourth place, followed closely by Antonio Felix da Costa, Jean-Eric Vergne, Nico Müller, Robin Frijns, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Lucas di Grassi, rounding out the top ten. The season finale in London was a testament to the excitement and unpredictability that Formula E consistently delivers, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next season.
Round 15 of the 2024 Formula E Championship: Intense Action at London E-Prix:
The penultimate race of the 2024 Formula E season, held at the ExCeL London, was a gripping affair filled with drama, strategic maneuvers, and pivotal moments. Here’s a detailed look at the key events that unfolded during this thrilling race.
The Start: High Stakes and Early Incidents
Mitch Evans started strong, quickly taking the lead with Sébastien Buemi close behind. Pascal Wehrlein, known for his cautious yet strategic approach, initially took it easy, allowing Norman Nato to push into third. The excitement was palpable right from the start, but it was marred by an early incident involving Jake Dennis and Robin Frijns. Dennis squeezed Frijns into the wall, causing a crash that also collected Sam Bird. This brought out the Porsche Taycan Turbo Safety Car and reshuffled the pack.
Resuming the Race: Attack Modes and Battles
Racing resumed by Lap 5, with drivers strategically activating their Attack Modes. Nick Cassidy’s misstep with the activation sensors caused him to lose precious time. Meanwhile, Oliver Rowland aggressively battled Jean-Eric Vergne, successfully passing him but also getting involved in a tangle with Jake Dennis. This clash resulted in both cars briefly stacking on top of each other, adding to the chaotic mid-race action.
Mid-Race Drama: Rowland vs. Da Costa
The aggressive driving continued as Rowland clashed with Antonio Felix da Costa at the final corner, leading to da Costa’s retirement due to damaged front suspension. Da Costa’s frustration was evident as he labeled Rowland a “sore loser,” marking an end to his streak of three consecutive wins.
Leadership Changes and Energy Management
Buemi managed to pass Evans for the lead on Lap 10 with a smooth move up the start-finish straight. Dennis continued to be a source of on-track friction, clashing with championship leader Cassidy, who struggled with bent steering. Evans and Buemi’s subsequent Attack Mode activations saw Evans regain the lead, but Wehrlein, conserving energy masterfully, soon overtook both to take the lead by Lap 22.
Final Stages: Wehrlein’s Mastery and Heartbreak for Maserati
The final laps were a testament to Wehrlein’s strategic brilliance and composure. Despite Evans’ energy issues, Wehrlein held his ground during their Attack Mode activations, maintaining the lead with defensive driving. A dramatic twist saw Maximilian Günther climb from ninth to second, only for his car to suffer a mechanical problem, dropping him down the order and eventually stopping on track. This disappointment was echoed in the Maserati MSG Racing garage, as Jehan Daruvala also faced issues after a collision with Vergne.
The Finish: Wehrlein’s Victory
Despite the numerous on-track battles and accidents, Pascal Wehrlein kept his cool and secured his third victory of the season. Mitch Evans finished in second, while Sébastien Buemi rounded out the podium in third. The race solidified Wehrlein’s strong position in the championship standings, setting up an exciting final race.
Round 15 of the 2024 Formula E season in London was a showcase of high-stakes racing, strategic depth, and dramatic moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Wehrlein’s victory, Evans’ relentless pursuit, and the unfortunate setbacks for Maserati highlighted the unpredictable nature of the sport, making the anticipation for the final race even more intense
The Race 2: Final showdown
Race Start and Early Drama
The race began with Mitch Evans making an impressive start, overtaking Maximilian Günther to create a Jaguar TCS Racing one-two at the front. Nick Cassidy, also driving for Jaguar, led from Evans into Turn 1, with Günther in third and Pascal Wehrlein in fourth. This initial positioning allowed Jaguar to strategize effectively, with both Evans and Cassidy eyeing their ultimate chances for the title.
The field navigated Lap 1 without major incident, but on Lap 2, a collision between Jake Dennis and Edoardo Mortara brought out the Safety Car. The race resumed on Lap 5 with Cassidy leading, followed by Evans and Wehrlein, who had just overtaken Günther to position himself in the top three.
Strategic Moves and Safety Car Interruptions
Cassidy was the first to utilize his mandatory 50kW ATTACK MODE boost on Lap 10, maintaining his lead while Evans held Wehrlein at bay. However, another Safety Car was deployed on Lap 7 due to an incident involving Jehan Daruvala and Sam Bird, which also involved Dan Ticktum and Norman Nato.
Once the race restarted on Lap 10, Cassidy continued to lead from Evans and Wehrlein. On Lap 13, the Jaguar team’s strategy faced a challenge when Evans declared over the radio that “the gloves are off,” indicating his intention to push for the win. Cassidy took his second ATTACK MODE activation, falling behind Wehrlein but retaining a strategic advantage.
Mid-Race Battles and Position Shifts
By Lap 18, Oliver Rowland had climbed from ninth on the grid to fourth, putting pressure on the leading trio. Wehrlein attempted a move on Evans at Turn 1 on Lap 20, but the Jaguar driver defended strongly, maintaining his position. Meanwhile, Antonio Felix da Costa, Wehrlein’s teammate, had moved up to fifth to support Porsche’s bid for the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles.
On Lap 24, Wehrlein had a significant energy advantage, with three percent more usable energy than Evans. Despite Evans’ strong defense, Wehrlein’s persistence paid off, positioning him as the provisional leader in the championship standings.
Late-Race Drama and Title Decider
The race took a dramatic turn on Lap 29 when Cassidy’s title hopes ended abruptly after a collision with Günther. Rowland capitalized on the chaos, moving into third as the Safety Car was deployed to recover Günther’s damaged car.
When racing resumed on Lap 31, Rowland led from Evans, Wehrlein, and da Costa. Both Evans and Wehrlein took their first ATTACK MODE activations effectively, with Wehrlein rejoining the track in third. Rowland was instructed to give up the lead for overtaking under the Safety Car, allowing Evans to retake P1 with Rowland and Wehrlein close behind.
Lap 33 saw the final crucial ATTACK MODE activations. Evans missed the loop on his first attempt, dropping to second behind Wehrlein, who executed his activation perfectly. Evans eventually activated his ATTACK MODE but ceded second place to Wehrlein, effectively ending his championship challenge.
The Final Laps
In the closing stages, Wehrlein maintained his composure, leveraging his energy advantage and strategic positioning. Rowland crossed the finish line first, claiming his maiden home victory, while Wehrlein’s second-place finish secured him the 2024 Formula E World Championship title. Evans finished third, reflecting a valiant effort throughout the season but falling short in the final race.
The race concluded with Sébastien Buemi in fourth, followed by da Costa, Jean-Eric Vergne, Nico Müller, Robin Frijns, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Lucas di Grassi, rounding out the top ten.
Jaguar TCS Racing Triumphs in the 2024 Formula E Championship
In a season marked by intense competition and technological prowess, Jaguar TCS Racing emerged victorious, clinching both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Championships in the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E series. This achievement not only highlights the team’s dedication and skill but also marks a historic moment for Jaguar, their first world championship win since 1991.
A Season to Remember
Jaguar TCS Racing showcased their dominance throughout the season, accumulating a record 368 points to secure the Teams’ Championship. Their success was powered by the innovative Jaguar I-TYPE 6, the most technically advanced all-electric single-seat race car. This vehicle enabled the team to achieve four wins, 14 podiums, seven fastest laps, and four pole positions across the season, demonstrating both speed and reliability.
“This is a truly historic moment for Jaguar TCS Racing, the Jaguar brand and everyone who has played a part in this success. This World Championship belongs to the team, drivers, our partners, the fans and JLR colleagues around the world.”
JAMES BARCLAY
MANAGING DIRECTOR JLR MOTORSPORT AND JAGUAR TCS RACING TEAM PRINCIPAL
Drivers’ Standings Success
Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy played pivotal roles in Jaguar’s triumph. Evans secured second place overall in the Drivers’ World Championship, demonstrating consistent performance and strategic brilliance. Cassidy, who exhibited exceptional skill by securing pole positions, finished third in the drivers’ standings. Their combined efforts were instrumental in Jaguar’s journey to the top.
Manufacturer’s Trophy
In addition to the Teams’ Championship, Jaguar also won the newly established Manufacturer’s Trophy, scoring an impressive 455 points. This accolade underscores the technological advancements and superior engineering of the Jaguar I-TYPE 6. The lessons learned and technologies developed on the track are set to influence the next generation of Jaguar’s all-electric vehicles, as the brand transitions to an all-electric lineup from 2025.
Historic Achievement
This championship victory is a significant milestone for Jaguar, marking their first World Championship title since winning the World Sportscar Championship in 1991. The achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work, strategic acumen, and the cutting-edge technology embedded in their race cars.
Looking Ahead
Jaguar TCS Racing’s success in the 2024 Formula E season sets a high bar for the future. As the team continues to innovate and push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology, they are poised to remain at the forefront of the sport. The knowledge and experience gained from their racing endeavors will play a crucial role in shaping Jaguar’s future as an all-electric brand.
Final Drivers’ Standings
Image credits: Formula E
Final Team Standings
Image credits: Formula E
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