In a breathtaking display of determination and precision, Oliver Rowland took his first victory of the Formula E season in Mexico, overcoming fierce competition and chaotic late-race drama. The Nissan driver made a decisive move on the restart after a safety car, outpacing Antonio Felix da Costa and a charging group to secure not only his first victory but also his first podium of the season in his sixth attempt at the Mexico E-Prix.
The Defining Moment: Rowland’s Post-Relaunch Masterclass
The key moment of the race came after the safety car was deployed on lap 29 due to a collision between David Beckmann and Lucas di Grassi at turn 12. Rowland, in fourth position, had conserved energy by Attack Mode, giving him a critical advantage. On the restart, the Briton executed an impressive overtake sequence: first overtaking Jake Dennis at turn 1, then eliminating Pascal Wehrlein at turn 2, and finally dueling with Antonio Felix da Costa in the stadium section to take the lead at turn 12.
Just a lap later, another safety car was deployed for Mitch Evans, whose attempt to replicate his late-race exploits in Sao Paulo ended after a collision with Nico Mueller. An unfazed Rowland maintained his composure on the final restart, using his remaining Attack Mode power to fend off da Costa’s relentless pursuit.
Da Costa Stays Listening to Rowland, But Fails to Do It
Antonio Felix da Costa, who started the race well in the TAG Heuer Porsche, kept Rowland under intense pressure in the closing laps. The Portuguese driver, a master of conserving energy and the art of hitting at the right moment, came tantalizingly close but could not find the opportunity to regain the lead. His second place, however, allowed him to collect enough points to take the lead in the championship standings.
Wehrlein’s good start faded
Pole sitter Pascal Wehrlein dominated the early stages, leading the first 15 laps with the two Porsches driving in harmony at the front. However, an early activation of Attack Mode by Jake Dennis allowed the Briton to briefly take the lead, only for Wehrlein to fall back further as da Costa and Rowland charged through the pack. Wehrlein ultimately finished third, saving a podium finish after a series of intense battles.
Jake Dennis and Jean-Eric Vergne complete the top five
Jake Dennis, who briefly led after a daring Attack Mode strategy, was unable to resist the onslaught of da Costa and Rowland in the final moments. He finished in a respectable fourth place, recovering from a scoreless race in Sao Paulo. Jean-Eric Vergne took fifth place, although the DS Penske struggled to match the race pace of the Porsches.
Mid-pack hero and penalty chaos
Maximilian Guenther followed teammate Vergne in sixth place, while Nyck de Vries and Nico Mueller impressed with strong mid-pack performances. Taylor Barnard, starting from 19th place, climbed to 10th using energy conservation and a clever deployment of Attack Mode to secure a points finish despite a five-second penalty.
The chaotic ride took its toll on others. Edoardo Mortara and Sebastien Buemi received 10-second penalties for unused Attack Mode, dropping them to 13th and 17th place, respectively. Lucas di Grassi’s pit pass penalty, converted into a time addition of 27 seconds after the race, left him 16th in the final classification.
Changes in the Championship Ranking
Da Costa’s consecutive second-place finish propels him to the top of the drivers’ standings, 12 points ahead of Rowland, who is tied for second place with Mitch Evans. Wehrlein’s consistency moves him up to fourth place, while Taylor Barnard rounds out the top five after back-to-back points finishes.
In the Teams’ Championship, TAG Heuer Porsche overtakes NEOM McLaren, doubling their points total. Defending champions Jaguar TCS Racing are third, while McLaren’s consistent performances keep them within reach.
What’s next?
The Formula E season is heading to its next destination with an exciting championship battle underway. The resurgence of Rowland, the consistency of da Costa and the unpredictability of races like Mexico guarantee fans an electrifying season.
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