Jake Dennis wins first race of 2023 Formula E season in Mexico
Jake Dennis has staked his claim on the 2023 Formula E season with a dominant victory in the season opener in Mexico.
Jake Dennis wins in Mexico City. (FIA Formula E)
The Avalanche Andretti driver started second alongside pole-sitter Lucas Di Grassi, who was able to hold off Dennis until lap 12 when he ran wide out of the first corner and let off the power.
Dennis built a commanding lead to the finish in the interrupted race, with three safety car periods bringing a halt to the action.
"To start on the front row and then win by that much, with a Porsche one-two, so big shout out to my team," said Dennis.
"It was such a physical race."
"These cars are so hard to drive physically and with the lower grip as well, it makes everything more challenging."
"But it’s even more rewarding, especially when you win by five seconds."
"Time for some tequila with the team, an incredible race."
The 2023 FIA Formula E season begins in Mexico City. (FIA Formula E)
It was Dennis ahead of Di Grassi and Jake Hughes when Edoardo Mortara spun out at turn one and backed into the barriers, bringing out the second safety car.
Dennis charged ahead and the battle was on for the remaining podium positions, with Pascal Wehrlein pushing up into third as Hughes took his McLaren into Attack mode.
It was revealed on lap 29 that Di Grassi, in second, had 2% less power than his competitors, and he set about defending while he tried to recover energy.
That allowed Wehrlein to pass for second, up four positions since the start.
With five laps added due to time lost behind the safety car, the desperate battle was on for third as Di Grassi held up Hughes and Andre Lotterer, with Sebastien Buemi and Antonio Felix Da Costa both joining the tail of the train.
Di Grassi was able to hold on for the final podium position in a remarkable display of defending.
A collision between Rene Rast and Oliver Rowland left debris scattered across the track and Rast's McLaren stranded on the outside of the hairpin, negating overtaking opportunities, but Lotterer made a brazen last-lap move to take fourth.
Kiwi Mitch Evans was eighth for Jaguar TCS Racing after a bold move past Sacha Fenestraz at the hairpin, with countryman Nick Cassidy in ninth for Envision Racing.
Robin Frijns was hospitalised after a bizarre incident on the opening lap when he shunted into the back of another car at the chicane and broke his wrist.
The 2023 FIA Formula E World Championship returns 27-28 January in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
