Pascal Wehrlein marked his 100th Formula E start in spectacular fashion, securing a clinical victory in the first of two races under the lights in Jeddah. The Season 10 World Champion utilized a superior strategic gamble, perfectly timing his Pit Boost and Attack Mode phases to outpace the field and propel himself into the lead of the 2025/26 Drivers’ Championship.
Starting from third on the grid, Wehrlein opted for a patient approach, delaying his final power activations until after his mandatory Pit Boost stop. This strategy allowed him to utilize the 50kW, all-wheel-drive Attack Mode overlap to devastating effect, pulling out a massive eight-second cushion over his rivals in the closing stages. Once in clear air, the Porsche driver managed his pace effortlessly to cross the line for a historic “centenary” win.
The battle for the remaining podium spots was a story of recovery. Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara endured a nightmare start from pole position, suffering extreme wheelspin that saw him drop to fifth by the end of the first lap. Despite the “door-banging” chaos of the opening corners, Mortara showcased the improved pace of the Mahindra package, slicing back through the field with a late Attack Mode to secure second place. While satisfied with the podium, both Mortara and his team lamented the lost opportunity for a win caused by the poor getaway.
The final podium spot went to Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans, who continued his strong form following a win in Miami. Evans made significant progress during the second half of the race, utilizing efficient energy management to execute several aggressive overtakes, including a tight battle with Jake Dennis. He was followed across the line by Nico Müller in the second Porsche, while Jaguar’s António Félix da Costa and Citroën’s Nick Cassidy rounded out the top six. Cassidy’s performance was particularly notable, as he surged from 13th on the grid to salvage vital points.
Wehrlein’s victory, bolstered by the point for fastest lap, has significant implications for the title race. He now leads the standings with 64 points to Cassidy’s 48. Porsche’s dominance extends to the team and manufacturer tables as well, where they hold commanding leads over Mahindra and Jaguar, respectively. The paddock remains in Jeddah for Round 5, where the grid will look to challenge Porsche’s supremacy in the second half of the double-header.
