London E-Prix: Jake Dennis’ On Track for First FE Crown

This weekend, the thrilling 2023 FIA Formula E season comes to an exhilarating conclusion with the Hankook London E-Prix double-header. All eyes will be on Britain’s Jake Dennis, who stands on the cusp of securing his first-ever FIA World Championship title. As a member of the Avalanche Andretti Formula E team, Dennis will have the added advantage of racing in front of his home fans on a track where he has tasted victory twice before.

Dennis’s journey to the brink of championship glory has been nothing short of remarkable. Last season at the London E-Prix, he achieved a remarkable Grand Slam, capturing Julius Baer Pole Position, TAG Heuer Fastest Lap, and the race win by leading from start to finish. If he manages to replicate such a supreme performance in the opening race of the Hankook London E-Prix, he will secure the championship with one race to spare.

However, the 2023 Formula E season has been incredibly competitive and unpredictable, with seven different winners representing six different teams. TAG Heuer Porsche has been the only team to have both its drivers win races in this campaign. With 11 drivers making it to the podium and 19 drivers leading a lap, this season has been full of surprises, leaving nothing guaranteed for the grand finale.

The introduction of the third-generation GEN3 race car this year has elevated the competition, breaking numerous Formula E records, including the fastest lap recorded on three separate occasions, most overtakes, lead changes, and different leaders in a single race. Dennis, along with three other drivers, quickly adapted to this revolutionary EV technology and fiercely battled for supremacy throughout the season, racing on iconic circuits in cities such as Berlin, Mexico City, Diriyah, Rome, Monaco, and London, while also debuting in Hyderabad, Cape Town, São Paulo, and Portland.

Dennis’s performance this season has been nothing short of dominant. He holds the record for the most appearances in qualifying duels, and in Rome, he became the only driver to achieve a lights-to-flag victory in the GEN3 era. Moreover, he holds the joint-largest standings lead this season, tied with TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein’s post-Brazil advantage of 24 points, and boasts a podium tally of nine, two more than his closest competitor, Nick Cassidy.

However, the title fight is still on, with Wehrlein and Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans still in contention, sitting 49 and 44 points behind Dennis, respectively. In the Teams’ World Championship, Envision Racing leads with a 14-point advantage over TAG Heuer Porsche, while Jaguar TCS Racing follows closely in third.

The stage is set for an unforgettable finale as Formula E returns to East London’s historic docklands and the ExCeL events arena in the London Borough of Newham. The 1.3 mile, 20-turn track presents a unique challenge for the drivers, with a blend of indoor and outdoor racing, changes in surface, elevation, and lighting shifts, providing ample opportunities for thrilling overtakes.

The London E-Prix has seen some memorable home winners in the past, including Sam Bird, Alex Lynn, and Jake Dennis, who has achieved victory twice in the British capital. As the final round of this spectacular season, the Hankook London E-Prix promises high stakes, heart-pounding action, and a captivating battle for the championship title. With so much at stake and the unpredictable nature of Formula E, fans can expect a nail-biting conclusion that will keep them on the edge of their seats until the very last lap.