Porsche Formula E Team Explained

TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team
Founded:2019
Base:Germany
Principal:Florian Modlinger
Current Drivers: Pascal Wehrlein
António Félix da Costa

Current Series:Formula E
Website:motorsports.porsche.com
Driver Titles:Pascal Wehrlein (2023–24)

The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is a German racing team that competes in Formula E, which is organized by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The team made its debut in the category at the 2019 Ad Diriyah ePrix, which started the 2019–20 season, and had their first race win at the 2022 Mexico City ePrix.

History

In July 2017, Porsche confirmed that they would leave the FIA World Endurance Championship at the end of the season in order to focus on their Formula E campaign, which was set to begin with the 2019–20 season.[1] This meant that Porsche would be entering the series at the same time as the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team, though the latter already competed in the 2018–19 season through the affiliated HWA Racelab team.

2019–20 season

In December 2018, Neel Jani was announced as the first driver to drive for the new team.[2] Brendon Hartley was also involved in the development of the new car.[3] Porsche were then evaluating whether to sign the inexperienced Hartley or not.[4] In July 2019, Porsche announced the former Techeetah driver André Lotterer as the second driver.[5] In September, Porsche announced Simona de Silvestro and Thomas Preining as their new development drivers after Hartley got signed to the GEOX Dragon team. On 1 March 2020, Preining and Frédéric Makowiecki were brought to the Marrakesh rookie test, with Preining posting the fifteenth best lap and Makowiecki ending up the slowest of all drivers who partook the test.[6]

2020-21 season

In August 2020, it was confirmed that former Mahindra Racing driver Pascal Wehrlein would be joining the Porsche team for the 2020-21 season, replacing Neel Jani.[7]

2021-22 season

In Mexico City, Pascal Wehrlein claimed his and the team's maiden victory after taking pole position. The team also claimed their first 1-2 finish as Lotterer finished 2nd.

2022-23 season

António Félix da Costa was set to replace Lotterer and partner Wehrlein. Along the sister team Andretti, the Porsche powertrain dominated the early season, with Wehrlein winning both Diriyah rounds and leading both drivers' and teams' championships. The team scored two more victories with Félix da Costa winning Cape Town ePrix and Wehrlein in Jakarta. However, the team eventually lost the championship lead due to lack of consistency and qualifying pace.

2023-24 season

Porsche has retained their driver lineup of Wehrlein and Félix da Costa. The team has performed well throughout the season. The team has won 7 races, with 3 for Wehrlein and 4 for Félix da Costa. Jaguar Racing and their drivers Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy were their biggest title rivals. While Wehrlein clinched the Drivers' title, Porsche fell behind Jaguar in both Teams' Championship and Manufacturers' Trophy.

Sponsors

Sponsor2019–202020–212021–222022-232023-24
TAG Heuer[8]
Puma[9]
Hugo Boss[10]
Vodafone[11]
Mobil[12]
Ansys[13]

Results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearChassisPowertrainTyresNo.Drivers12345678910111213141516Points
TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team
2019–20Spark SRT05ePorsche 99X ElectricDIRSCLMEXMRKBERBERBER798th
18 Neel Jani1713Ret14181115Ret19615
36 André Lotterer214DSQRet82958414
2020–21Spark SRT05ePorsche 99X ElectricDIRRMEVLCMCOPUENYCLDNBERBER1378th
36 André Lotterer16111415Ret217DSQ1785417104
99 Pascal Wehrlein51073Ret18RetDSQ4Ret4105216
2021–22Spark SRT05ePorsche 99X ElectricDRHMEXRMEMCOBERJAKMRKNYCLDNSEO1347th
36 André Lotterer1342104Ret489151691212RetRet
94 Pascal Wehrlein119186Ret61281261110107Ret
2022–23Formula E Gen3Porsche 99X ElectricMEXDIRHYDCPTSPLBERMCOJAKPRTRMELDN2424th
13 António Félix da Costa71811314Ret515873Ret121616
94 Pascal Wehrlein2114Ret7671016897910
2023–24Formula E Gen3Porsche 99X ElectricMEXDIRSAPTOKMISMCOBERSHAPORLDN3322nd
13 António Félix da CostaRet161464DSQ1776118111Ret13
94 Pascal Wehrlein1874516155422010412
Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Porsche quits WEC LMP1 class for Formula E programme. Autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Gary. Watkins. 28 July 2017. 26 March 2020. 25 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200325235340/https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/130956/porsche-quits-lmp1-for-formula-e-programme. live.
  2. Web site: Porsche Confirms Jani for Formula E Entry. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 14 December 2018. 26 March 2020. 4 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190404051246/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/porsche-confirms-jani-for-formula-e-entry/. live.
  3. Web site: Hartley Involved in Porsche Formula E Development. Kilshaw. Jake. e-racing365. 7 February 2019. 26 March 2020. 27 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191227191920/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/hartley-involved-in-porsche-formula-e-development/. live.
  4. Web site: Jani Shares Porsche's Wish for Experienced Teammate. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 4 July 2019. 26 March 2020. 11 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190711212629/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/jani-shares-porsche-wish-for-experienced-teammate/. live.
  5. Web site: Lotterer Completes Porsche Formula E Driver Lineup. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 17 July 2019. 26 March 2020. 6 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191206114111/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/lotterer-confirmed-at-porsche/. live.
  6. Web site: Cassidy smashes lap record in Formula E rookie test. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Valentin. Khorounzhiy. 1 March 2020. 26 March 2020. 25 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200325235340/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/cassidy-rookie-test-virgin-marrakesh/4707004/. live.
  7. Web site: Thukral. Rachit. Porsche signs Wehrlein to replace Jani in Formula E line-up. 14 August 2020. Autosport.com. en. 23 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200923073557/https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/151357/porsche-signs-wehrlein-to-replace-jani-in-formula-e. live.
  8. Web site: TAG Heuer becomes Title and Timing Partner of the Porsche Formula E Team. Porsche. 26 August 2019. 28 February 2020. 9 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200109220024/https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2019/motorsports/porsche-formula-e-tag-heuer-title-timing-partner-18438.html. live.
  9. Web site: Porsche Motorsport enters into a multi-year partnership with Puma. Porsche. 2 January 2019. 28 February 2020. 28 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200228183001/https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/motorsports/porsche-motorsport-partnership-puma-16730.html. live.
  10. Web site: Hugo Boss, Porsche Celebrate Formula E Electric Car Series. Wwd.com. 12 July 2019. 28 February 2020. 28 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200228181501/https://wwd.com/eye/parties/hugo-boss-porsche-celebrate-formula-e-electric-car-series-1203220092/. live.
  11. Web site: Porsche get Vodafone backing for Formula E debut. SportsPro. SportsPro Media Ltd. 29 August 2019. 28 February 2020. 28 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200228185201/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/porsche-formula-e-vodafone. live.
  12. Web site: ExxonMobil and Porsche Expand Motorsports Technology Partnership Into Formula E. Business Wire. 6 September 2019. 28 February 2020. 28 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200228181459/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190906005023/en/ExxonMobil-Porsche-Expand-Motorsports-Technology-Partnership-Formulat. live.
  13. Web site: Porsche Fully Electric Race Car Targets Formula E Championship Using Ansys Technology. Ansys. 21 November 2019. 28 February 2020. 28 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200228181502/https://www.ansys.com/about-ansys/news-center/11-21-19-porsche-fully-electric-race-car-targets-formula-e-championship-using-ansys-technology. live.