Following a schedule modification to avoid impending weather conditions, Round 12 of the Formula E Championship took place in Shanghai. Pascal Wehrlein managed to claim victory from pole, ahead of António Félix da Costa and Jake Dennis after tricky weather conditions.
Starting of the Shanghai E-Prix
Pascal Wherlein had a great launch from pole position, taking the lead into turn 1. Behind him, Jake Dennis immediately overtook Mitch Evans into the first turn for second after an amazing start.
As the first raindrops started to appear, drivers challenged each other to secure the best visibility in case of rain. Meanwhile, Zane Maloney and Norman Nato served their 10-second penalty. At the front, Dennis immediately put Wehrlein under pressure as the grid stayed compacted.
On Lap 4, Dennis moved to take the lead; however, Pascal Wehrlein defended his position as Taylor Barnard entered the pit lane with a puncture. As the lead kept changing, behind them, António Félix da Costa overtook Maximilian Günther in third, chasing Wehrlein, currently in second.
By Lap 7, rain was supposed to hit within the next ten minutes as Jake Dennis became the new race leader and da Costa overtook Wehrlein. However, Pascal Wehrlein retook the lead two laps later.
The Battle for the Lead
Before reaching the halfway point, behind the leader, da Costa, Dennis, and Günther engaged in a battle for the podium positions. Ultimately, da Costa stayed ahead of both Dennis and Günther. The Portuguese driver immediately attacked Pascal Wehrlein for the lead.
The pit boost became available; however, most drivers opted to wait before activating it. The first to use it were Felipe Drugovich, Sebastién Buemi, and Lucas Di Grassi.
At the start of Lap 16, Wehrlein, da Costa, Oliver Rowland, and Edoardo Mortara activated their pit boost. As a response, Dennis and Günther pitted a lap later.
Safety Car due to Weather Conditions
As the race reached the halfway point, Pascal Wehrlein remained the pit boost leader, ahead of da Costa and Dennis, once again. On Lap 19, a safety car was deployed due to heavy rain in Turn 7.
The neutralisation of the race impeded Pepe Martí and Edoardo Mortara from using the Attack Mode to its full potential. As it stood, Pascal Wehrlein led the race, as the championship leader was down in tenth.
The race restarted on Lap 22, and every driver activated Attack Mode immediately. Dennis quickly moved up and engaged in a battle with Mortara, who had no Attack Mode, for third.
Ultimately, Pascal Wehrlein saw the chequered flag first and ahead of da Costa and Dennis after a phenomenal drive from the German driver.