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The Formula E World Championship is set to make its debut in Portland, Oregon, marking an exciting milestone in the history of the electric racing series. As the fight for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship title intensifies, only six points separate the top three drivers heading into Round 12 of the 16-race season. This thrilling showdown promises to deliver high-speed action and fierce competition on the streets of Portland.
Jake Dennis: A Home Crowd Favorite
One of the drivers to watch closely in the Southwire Portland E-Prix is Jake Dennis from the US-based Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team. With the race taking place in his home country, Dennis is determined to give his all and overcome the one-point gap that separates him from championship leader Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. Throughout Season 9, Dennis has consistently impressed by finishing on the podium, securing one win and achieving seven top-three finishes in the 11 races held so far.
The Battle for Championship Supremacy
The long-time standings leader, Pascal Wehrlein, experienced a setback in Monaco when he lost his top spot. However, he quickly regained his authority by securing a controlled victory in Round 10 in Jakarta, leading his closest rival, Jake Dennis. This triumph marked Wehrlein’s first win and podium since Round 3 in Diriyah, reaffirming his determination to claim the championship title. Meanwhile, Nick Cassidy of Envision Racing showcased exceptional form, surpassing Wehrlein in the standings with a victory in Monaco.
Despite Cassidy’s surge, he now finds himself in third place, trailing just five points behind second-place Dennis. However, the competition remains wide open, and anything can happen as the drivers prepare for the Southwire Portland E-Prix.
Mitch Evans: A Determined Contender
While the previous rounds saw Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing fall out of the top three in the standings, he remains a strong contender in the championship picture. Following back-to-back podium finishes in Monaco and Berlin, Evans encountered a disastrous weekend in Indonesia, earning only 15 points out of the more than 50 available in the Jakarta double-header. Despite this setback, Evans sits just 19 points behind Cassidy, determined to climb back up the standings and assert his presence in the championship fight.
Maximilian Günther: A History-Making Driver
Rounds 11 and 12 in Jakarta witnessed a remarkable achievement in Formula E history. Maximilian Günther of Maserati MSG Racing dominated every timed session, becoming the first driver in Formula E to achieve this feat. Günther’s superb performance instantly clicked with the circuit, resulting in his first Julius Bär Pole Position and a historic race win. This victory not only marked Günther as the only driver to win from pole position in the past 14 races but also secured Maserati’s first triumph in a world championship single-seater race since Juan Manuel Fangio’s legendary win at Nurburgring in 1957.
Formula E, the all-electric racing series, is preparing for its sixth visit to the United States of America with an exciting debut race at the Portland International Raceway (PIR) and the 2023 Southwire Portland E-Prix. This milestone event marks Formula E’s commitment to bringing world-class electric racing to various cities across the country. The upcoming race in eco-friendly Portland is expected to introduce a new wave of fans to the championship’s leading global electric racing series and its dedication to clean and sustainable EV technology.
A Historic Venue for American Motorsport
The Portland International Raceway holds a special place in American motorsport history, having hosted prestigious racing series like IndyCar over the years. The track’s layout has witnessed intense battles, including a memorable three-way finish in 1997 when Mark Blundell clinched victory by a mere half a tenth of a second, triumphing over Gil de Ferran and Raul Boesel.
The raceway’s origin story dates back to the 1970s when it was established after a devastating flood destroyed an entire town. The resulting infrastructure, consisting of roads suitable only for a racetrack, became the foundation of the Portland International Raceway. Since its inception, the track has been a popular destination for professional motorsport events. The Trans-Am Series kickstarted the venue’s racing legacy in 1975, followed by IndyCar and the NASCAR Truck Series. Although the track experienced a lull in competition during the 2000s and 2010s, it has recently regained its status as a sought-after racing venue, hosting races for IndyCar and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Formula E is now poised to add its name to the roster of prestigious series that have graced Portland’s pavement, making history as the track’s first all-electric race.
A Thrilling Circuit for Formula E
The Portland International Raceway boasts one of the longest tracks on the Formula E calendar, measuring approximately 3.190km. While the layout shares similarities with the track used by the IndyCar series, Formula E and the FIA have made an exciting alteration by adding 20 meters to Turn One. This significant change promises to enhance the racing experience, guaranteeing a thrilling spectacle for both drivers and fans alike.
When to Watch the Southwire Portland E-Prix
For fans eager to catch the action, here’s a breakdown of the event schedule:
- Free Practice 1: The Southwire Portland E-Prix kicks off with Free Practice 1 at 3.00am in Riyadh (17:00 Pacific Daylight Time – PDT) on Friday, June 23.
- Free Practice 2: On Saturday, Free Practice 2 commences at 8.30pm in Riyadh (10:30 PDT), allowing teams to fine-tune their setups ahead of the race.
- Qualifying: Following Free Practice 2, qualifying takes place from 10.40pm in Riyadh (12:40 PDT). Drivers push their cars to the limit to secure the best starting positions.
- Round 12: The main event, Round 12 of the Southwire Portland E-Prix, begins at 3.00am in Riyadh (17:00 PDT), where the world’s top electric racing drivers battle for victory on the challenging Portland circuit.
Follow the Action Live!
Stay up-to-date with all the on-track action by following the new Race Centre. The Race Centre provides a real-time interactive track map, allowing you to monitor.
FAQ’s
Q: What is the Formula E World Championship? A: The Formula E World Championship is an international electric racing series featuring single-seater cars. It serves as a platform to promote sustainable mobility and innovation in the automotive industry.
Q: How many races are there in a Formula E season? A: A Formula E season consists of
