Diriyah E-Prix is a drivers’ favorite, says Jaguar’s Mitch Evans

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Updated 25 January 2024
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Diriyah E-Prix is a drivers’ favorite, says Jaguar’s Mitch Evans

  • The New Zealander targets success in Drivers’ Championship, having finished 3rd last year, and says standard of competition will be even higher in season 10

RIYADH: The Diriyah E-Prix has become a favorite among the drivers, said Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans, and he expects the standard of competition in Formula E to be higher than ever this year.

Twenty-two drivers from 11 teams are competing in the 10th season of the all-electric series, which will feature the sport’s Gen3 car for the second year running.

Speaking ahead of the double-header of night races in Riyadh this weekend, Evans said: “Naturally, with the second year of the same car, teams are going to find new ways to get performance out of the drivers and get more comfortable.”

The New Zealander finished third in the Drivers’ Championship last year, and although he has career second, third, forth and fifth-place finishes under his belt, he has yet to win the ultimate prize.

“Compared to 12 months ago, it’s definitely a different story. I feel like the pack has definitely closed up,” he added.

Pascal Wehrlein last week won the first race of the 2024 season, the Mexico City E-Prix. Rounds two and three take place in Diriyah, an ancient city that includes historic At-Turaif district, which is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

In 2021, the Diriyah E-Prix became the first night time Formula E race, and its street circuit is “definitely a drivers’ favorite,” Evans told Arab News.

“To try and execute a lap there is really tricky,” he said. “It requires a lot of rhythm, a lot of corners flowing to one another. It’s very much one of those tracks where there’s kind of high risk but, you know, no kind of margin for error. It’s a special event and we all enjoy coming here.”

His Jaguar Racing teammate, Nick Cassidy, echoed those comments and said the “room for error is small.”

Cassidy, who took second place in the championship last year, told Arab News he aims to go one better this year.


Guenther clinches victory with last-ditch move at first Jeddah E-Prix race

Updated 15 February 2025
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Guenther clinches victory with last-ditch move at first Jeddah E-Prix race

  • Nissan’s Oliver Rowland beaten by dramatic last-lap charge

JEDDAH: Maximilian Guenther secured victory in the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix, overtaking Nissan’s Oliver Rowland at the last corner to claim his first win for DS Penske in round three of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Guenther, who started from pole position for the first time since Jakarta 2023, initially led the race but lost places as drivers navigated Formula E’s debut Pit Boost mandatory pit stops.

Rowland, Taylor Barnard, and Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries capitalized on early energy deployment, while Guenther took a more measured approach, conserving power for a late-race push.

That patience paid off. Setting the fastest lap on lap 27, the German driver fought back to second place before launching a dramatic last-lap charge. With a slight energy advantage, he seized his moment on the final chicane, making a decisive move to snatch victory from Rowland just before the chequered flag.

Guenther said: “This means everything to me. It’s the first win with my new team, DS Penske. It was a lot of hard work, a big race but an amazing outcome for us. We lost quite a few places around the pit stop window, but we just 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 it is an extra special feeling. I didn’t want to leave it until the last corner but there was no other option — Oli was doing a mega job today, a great race. I believed until the end.”

The victory marked Guenther’s first win since Tokyo last season and broke a 17-race streak in which the pole sitter had failed to convert the start into a victory.

Rowland, despite his disappointment, moved to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings with 43 points, ahead of Antonio Felix da Costa. Porsche lead the Teams’ Championship by a slim three-point margin over DS Penske, while Nissan top the Manufacturers’ table.

Rowland said: “We had a plan before the race and we executed it pretty well. I’m a little bit disappointed because when I had such a gap, if I’d under-consumed a bit I’d have had enough energy to defend from Max. He caught me napping a little bit and I couldn’t do much in the last corner. Nevertheless, we scored some great points and on to tomorrow.”

NEOM McLaren’s Barnard completed the podium, celebrating a strong third-place finish after starting from P4.

He said: “Starting from P4, a podium was always my hope, but you never know how the race is going to play out. It was the first Pit Boost race as well, so to know that we’ve done the procedure that well as a team, I couldn’t be happier to be P3.”

With round four set to take place in Jeddah on Saturday, the championship battle remains fiercely competitive as the season continues to deliver thrills.


Racing fans meet Formula E drivers at autograph session

Updated 14 February 2025
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Racing fans meet Formula E drivers at autograph session

  • 21 drivers featured at event at Jeddah’s circuit
  • Enthusiast Adel Hasanain got there early to interact with motor racing icons

JEDDAH: Fans at the Jeddah E-Prix were given the opportunity to meet some of motorsport’s biggest stars in person on Friday in a pit-lane walk and autograph session.
Some 21 superstar drivers were featured at the autograph session, all taking time out of their busy schedules to meet fans, have their pictures taken, and sign all kinds of memorabilia.
Hadeer Mohammed, a Saudi student who attended Jeddah’s first race of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with her friends, told Arab News that she was an enthusiast, and added: “I’m a big fan of both Formula One and Formula E and I was very happy when they announced they would host the Formula E in Jeddah.”
She said she was happy to be given the opportunity to meet the drivers, take selfies and get autographs.
She said: “I just got an autograph of Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato of Nissan.”
The Formula E drivers made themselves available at the fan zone with the teams providing photos, postcards and other goodies.
Adel Hasanain said that he arrived early in the day to interact with the motor racing icons.
He said: “It was an excellent opportunity to meet our favorite drivers. I had the chance to get a signed cap from Jake Dennis and Nico Mueller of the Andretti team, and Jean-Eric Vergne and Maximilian Guenther of DS Penske.”
Fans made the most of the opportunity to obtain autographs and take photographs.
Talal Al-Katheri, an engineering student at King Abdulaziz University, said: “It was a great moment for us today as we got the chance to meet these drivers.
“I am a fan of NEOM McLaren so I got autographs and photos of Sam Bird and Taylor Bernard.
“What a day it was, walking on the track and seeing the participating drivers up close.”


Formula E drivers revved-up for podium finishes at first Jeddah E-Prix

Updated 14 February 2025
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Formula E drivers revved-up for podium finishes at first Jeddah E-Prix

  • The doubleheader of races will take place at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday and Saturday

JEDDAH: Ahead of the third round of the Formula E’s season in Saudi Arabia this weekend, drivers from the teams competing in the first Jeddah E-Prix have revealed their ambitions for the doubleheader under lights.

Sam Bird of NEOM McLaren, Maximilian Guenther of DS PENSKE and Nick Cassidy of Jaguar TCS Racing spoke to Arab News recently ahead of the action taking place at Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the first time after six years of Formula E’s Saudi Arabia residency in Diriyah.

Bird, who previously managed to claim two wins in Saudi Arabia, said: “I am very motivated to get the best on the Jeddah’s track for the first time.

“I am really excited to take on the two doubleheaders in Jeddah and push for my first points with Jaguar Racing. I’ve won in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Diriyah not so long ago so can’t wait to get going here in Jeddah.”

Even though the Mexico City E-Prix in January did not go as planned for the British driver, who ended fourth, he is determined to get back on the podium on Saturday.

“We need a strong performance to stay in the fight at the top of the standings,” said Bird.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Cassidy is keen to replicate past success in Saudi Arabia.

“We have put in a lot of hard work since Mexico and hopefully we can translate that into some strong results in Jeddah,” the Jaguar driver said.

“I have happy memories of racing in Saudi Arabia for Jaguar TCS Racing, including taking my first win with the team, so it would be great to continue that.”

Germany’s Guenther, who narrowly lost the internal team duel against Jean-Eric Vergne in Mexico, commented: “I am happy with the way the team works together.

“It was only my second race with DS Penske, but I have the feeling that everything is developing very well. Now I am really looking forward to Jeddah.”


Jeddah all set for rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship

Updated 12 February 2025
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Jeddah all set for rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship

  • ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s 11th season began with a thrilling opener in Brazil, followed by the 2nd round in Mexico on January 11
  • Double-header race will showcase the inclusion of Pit Boost for the first time - cars will receive a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) from a quick, 30-second 600kW re-charge in the pitlane

JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is primed for its first double-header of the season in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Rounds 3 and 4 will take place at the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February.

Since 2018, the E-Prix, was hosted for six successful seasons in Diriyah, this year it has been shifted to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, renowned as the fastest street circuit in the world.

This two-day event, the third in the 17-race Formula E season, represents the seventh time Saudi Arabia has hosted a Formula E World Championship race, which includes 11 global locations.

The 11th season began with a thrilling opener in Brazil, followed by the 2nd round in Mexico on January 11. The competition has already delivered intense rivalries, particularly between reigning drivers’ champion Pascal Wehrlein and the NEOM McLaren team, which currently leads the teams’ championship standings.

Round 2 winner Oliver Rowland arrived in Jeddah and will be eager to deliver another standout performance, matching his victory last month in Mexico. The Brit’s victory lifted him into second in the Drivers’ Championship.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Beside the thrilling action during the two days, the double-header race will showcase the inclusion of Pit Boost for the first time. Cars will receive a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) from a quick, 30-second 600kW re-charge in the pitlane.

Hosting up to 120 young women for its FIA Girls on Track program across race week. The day-long experience includes career talks, a Pit Lane Walk, activations in the Gaming Arena and educational partner workshops on-site, led by inspirational women from within the paddock.

The program focuses on STEM education and gender inclusivity in motorsport, engaging girls from diverse communities in host cities.

 In addition, the Rookie Free Practice session debuts ahead of the event, providing global motorsport talent a chance to showcase their abilities in the latest GEN3 Evo technology. These changes highlight Formula E and the FIA’s commitment to innovation, competition, and fan engagement as the series embarks on an exciting new chapter in Jeddah.

Formula E’s philosophy is not just to race, but also it supports communities and the environment. The championship has revealed sustainability initiatives that will be implemented during the Jeddah E-Prix 2025.

These initiatives will include innovative social and environmental projects, the most important of which are the “Girls on Track” program, and the “Formula E Fund for a Better Future” to support charities, in addition to the use of renewable energy and waste management systems.

ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – standings after 2 of 16 races

Drivers’ classification

1. Antonio Felix da Costa (POR), 37 points

2. Oliver Rowland (GBR), 25 points

3. Mitch Evans (NZL), 25 points

4. Pascal Wehrlein (GER), 21 points

6. Jake Dennis (GBR), 13 points

14. Dan Ticktum (GBR), 4 points

15. Nico Müller (SUI), 2 points

22. David Beckmann (GER), 0 points

Teams’ classification

1. TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team (GER), 58 points

2. NEOM McLaren Formula E Team (GBR), 27 points

3. Jaguar TCS Racing (GBR), 25 points

7. Andretti Formula E (USA), 15 points

10. CUPRA KIRO (USA), 4 points

Manufacturers’ classification

1. Porsche, 55 points

2. Nissan, 54 points

3. Jaguar, 41 points


Jeddah Corniche Circuit gets new layout with Formula E poised to debut in Saudi city

Updated 10 February 2025
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Jeddah Corniche Circuit gets new layout with Formula E poised to debut in Saudi city

  • After six successful seasons in Diriyah, the all-electric racing series will now compete on a specially adapted layout of Jeddah Corniche Circuit

JEDDAH: Drivers will compete on a revised version of the record-breaking Jeddah Corniche Circuit in a double-header weekend when the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship comes to Saudi Arabia this weekend.

After six successful seasons in Diriyah, the all-electric racing series will now compete on a specially adapted layout of the circuit, the fastest in the world, as the championship moves to Jeddah for the first time on Feb. 14-15. 

The newly modified three kilometer track will have 19 corners, offering a new challenge for drivers and teams as they navigate high-speed turns along the Red Sea coastline.

The Jeddah E-Prix’s circuit layout has been tailored exclusively for Formula E, featuring four new chicanes placed to enhance overtaking and show off the agility of the electric vehicles.

The track diverges from the traditional Formula 1 route just before Turn 4, before rejoining at the Turn 21/22 section. Two additional chicane complexes have been installed between Turns 25 and 26, leading into the final corner and on to the pit straight.

These modifications were completed in just 30 days, with a dedicated 120-member team working around the clock to transform the circuit.

“Delivering a brand-new track layout at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in just 30 days was an immense challenge, but one that our dedicated team of 120 track specialists tackled with incredible skill and determination,” said Angus Miller, senior track and overlay manager at Formula E.

Samer Issa-El-Khoury, managing partner of CBX, the promoter of the Jeddah E-Prix, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the project.

“Thanks to the joint efforts of CBX, the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation, and Formula E, we have adapted the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to create a track that will deliver thrilling electric racing for fans and drivers alike,” he said.

Formula E will also introduce Pit Boost, an innovative mid-race feature, at Jeddah’s opening race.

This new strategy element grants drivers a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) via a 30-second, 600kW ultra-fast energy boost in the pitlane. The feature is designed to shake up race tactics.

Saudi Arabia is a key destination on the championship’s calendar, and the move to Jeddah aligns with its Vision 2030 strategy to develop world-class sporting events throughout the Kingdom.