The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returned to Saudi Arabia for the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix, where Maximilian Guenther claimed victory with a dramatic last-corner overtake on Nissan’s Oliver Rowland, claiming Guenther’s first win for DS PENSKE.
The German driver, who started from pole for the first time since Jakarta 2023, initially led the race but lost ground as competitors took advantage of the debut of mandatory PIT BOOST pit stops. Rowland, Taylor Barnard, and Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries gained an edge by using the extra PIT BOOST energy early, while Guenther opted to save his boost for later in the race.
As the race progressed, Guenther fought his way back, setting the fastest lap on lap 27, moving into second place behind Rowland. With a slight energy advantage, Guenther launched a late challenge in a four-car battle for the win. In a thrilling final-lap, Guenther seized his opportunity at the last chicane, overtaking Rowland just before the checkered flag. This victory marked his first since Tokyo last season and the first time in 17 races a driver converted pole position into a win.
The result had significant championship implications, as Rowland took the lead in the Drivers’ standings ahead of António Félix da Costa. Meanwhile, Porsche led the Teams’ Championship by a narrow three-point margin over DS PENSKE, while Nissan topped the Manufacturers’ table.
Maximilian Guenther, #7, DS Penske, said: “This win means everything to me. It’s the first with my new team and was a lot of hard work but an amazing outcome for us. We lost quite a few places around the pit stop window, but stayed calm and did our race. I didn’t expect to come back all the way. I thought a podium would have been good, but to do it in the end and to win is a special feeling. I didn’t want to leave it until the last corner but there was no other option – Oli did a mega job today, a great race. I believed until the end!”
Oliver Rowland, No.22, Nissan Formula E Team, said: “We had a plan before the race and executed it pretty well. I’m a little disappointed because I had such a gap and if I’d consumed less energy I’d have had enough to defend from Max [Guenther]. He caught me napping a little and I couldn’t do much in the last corner. Nevertheless, we scored some great points and on to tomorrow.”
ROWLAND RACES TO ROUND 4 WIN IN JEDDAH
- Oliver Rowland and the Nissan Formula E Team secured a dominant win at the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix, capitalizing on smart energy management and ATTACK MODE strategy
- Rowland extended his lead in the Drivers’ World Championship to 68 points
- Taylor Barnard of NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, the youngest-ever Formula E polesitter, led early but had to defend aggressively against Jake Hughes in the final laps, finishing second
- Jake Hughes secured his first podium for Maserati MSG Racing
- Andretti’s Jake Dennis charged from 19th to fourth, marking the first time British drivers occupied the top four positions in Formula E history
- Nissan leads the Teams’ World Championship by five points over NEOM McLaren, Porsche, and DS PENSKE
- Nissan also topped the Manufacturers’ World Championship standings over Stellantis, as the series heads to Miami for Round 5
Briton Oliver Rowland secured victory at Round 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship after a strategic masterclass with efficient energy management and well-timed ATTACK MODE activations. As a result, Nissan leads both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Championship standings as the series heads to Miami for Round 5 on April 12.
Rowland’s triumph was aided by the early collision between title contenders António Félix da Costa and Maximilian Guenther, which removed key rivals from the equation.
Taylor Barnard, the youngest polesitter in Formula E history, led from the start but had to shift focus to defending against a charging Jake Hughes. Despite immense pressure in the closing laps, Barnard held his ground to secure second place while an overtake from Hughes resulted in his first podium for Maserati MSG Racing and second podium in his Formula E career.
Jake Dennis delivered a remarkable comeback from 19th on the grid, briefly taking the lead before settling for fourth in a historic all-British top-four finish.
Nick Cassidy fought his way from 17th to finish fifth, while Hughes’ teammate Stoffel Vandoorne added to Maserati’s strong showing in sixth. Defending champion Pascal Wehrlein salvaged eighth place in a damage limitation effort.
With this result, Rowland leads the Drivers’ World Championship on 68 points, ahead of Barnard on 51. Nissan holds a narrow one point lead in the Teams’ World Championship standings over NEOM McLaren, with just five points separating the top four teams.
Next up, Formula E heads to Miami for Round 5 on Saturday April 12.
Oliver Rowland, No.22, Nissan Formula E Team, said: “It was great. The start was key and was pretty much the perfect scenario. I had a little bit of contact with Guenther at the chicane, he got really aggressive on the inside and I got stuck on him. That’s when I got towards the front. Being in third or fourth, people start to get aggressive, so I got out of trouble and went to the front and led from there. I’m just trying to focus race by race and do the best job we can to score points.”
Jake Hughes, No.55, Maserati MSG Racing, said: “The car felt like it was on the edge, but super-happy with today. After messing up FP3, getting into the Duels to the Semi-Final, and then coming away with a podium for the team, I couldn’t ask for more. We did really well with the ATTACK MODE, we used the energy when we needed to, and the execution was great.”
About Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship:
As the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport-certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation.
The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities is united by a passion for the sport and belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and the planet.
About ABB:
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