Tag: formula e

LATEST NEWS

London E-Prix Preview: Two races remain, two titles up for grabs in the UK

24 July 2023

Envision Racing head to a dramatic season conclusion to Season 9 at the London E-Prix this weekend with everything still to play for


The 2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has been an absolute cracker. With dramatic twists and turns a Hollywood script writer would struggle to match (even if they weren’t currently on strike…), it all comes down to the two final races at the unique ExCeL Centre in London.

Ahead of the season-ending double-header in the UK capital, Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy lies second in the Drivers’ Championship standings, 24 points adrift of leader Jake Dennis. But it could have been so different, had it not been for forces outside of his control, and subsequent drama last time out in Rome.

With a maximum of 54 points up for grabs in the final two races, nothing is decided just yet. Last year Cassidy claimed a top-three finish in London and, with seven visits to the podium this year including a hat-trick of victories, the Kiwi is no stranger to success in recent times.

He will be fired up to bring home every point possible at what is Envision Racing’s home track.

As well as a shot at winning a maiden Drivers’ title, Envision Racing are in a strong position in the battle for a first Teams’ Championship crown. Thanks to points bagged by Cassidy and team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi in testing conditions last time out in Rome, the team lead the standings heading to London with a healthy 14-point lead over Porsche.

With both drivers showing race-winning pace and a home crowd to spur them on, Envision Racing will have every incentive to go all out for glory at ExCeL London.

THE CHALLENGE IN LONDON

Formula E racing in London provides a singular challenge. Featuring a unique indoor starting grid, the pitlane, pit garages and the opening sequence of corners are all housed under the roof of ExCeL London. This tight series of corners has provided a place for much drama in recent years, and could well see some decisive action in 2023.

From the twisty start to the lap, the ultra smooth indoor surface makes way for the bumpy and abrasive great outdoors, including a slippery metal strip, as the surrounds of London’s brutalist Docklands loom into view.     

The drivers will battle it out next to the River Thames, negotiating a set of chicanes and elevation changes, before the circuit opens out into a mixture of flowing turns and right right-handers. 

As well as the ups and downs of this one-off challenge, the drivers also have to deal with changes in light as the outdoors makes way for the darkness and artificial lighting of the arena. 

LAST TIME OUT IN ROME

The double-header in the Italian capital certainly delivered drama and a suitably gladiatorial battle between the main Drivers’ Championship title contenders Cassidy and Dennis.

In the weekend’s opening race Cassidy drove superbly, coming from ninth on the grid to end up in the wheel tracks of eventual winner and fellow New Zealander Mitch Evans. With Dennis ending up fourth, it was very much advantage Cassidy heading into the weekend’s second race, but Saturday’s race wasn’t all fun and games for Envision Racing.

Cassidy’s team-mate Buemi was fighting back from an early race issue before coming across the stricken Jaguar of Sam Bird. With nowhere to go, the Swiss driver slammed into Bird’s car, causing extensive damage to his Jaguar I-Type 6 machine, and following the inevitable red flag and lengthy clean up, just 13 cars restarted from the original 21.

After an incredible all-night repair job from the Envision Racing team, somehow Buemi not only made the grid for Sunday’s race, but also progressed to the duels in qualifying for the second consecutive day. He rewarded his team’s hard work with a stellar fifth at the flag as it was Cassidy’s turn to suffer.

Looking for the lead from Dennis on lap two, Cassidy was hit from behind by a wayward Evans. In an unfortunate and spectacular crash, the Jaguar was sent flying over the Envision Racing machine, compromising Cassidy’s race and any hope of victory.

As a result, the best the championship leader could hope for was 14th, as Dennis went on to win and retake a strong lead in the standings.

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 14):
1. Jake Dennis, 195pts
2. Nick Cassidy, 171pts
3. Mitch Evans, 151pts
4. Pascal Wehrlein, 146pts
5. Jean-Éric Vergne, 107pts
8. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 82pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 14):
1. Envision Racing, 253pts
2. Porsche Formula E Team, 239pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 228pts
4. Avalanche Andretti, 218pts
5. DS Penske, 15pts

RANDOM FACT

For the 2012 Summer Olympics, ExCeL London was divided into five sports halls, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 spectators, that were used for boxing, fencing, judo, taekwondo, table tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling. 

WHERE AND WHEN TO WATCH THE LONDON E-PRIX (ALL TIMES BST)

ROUND 15

28 July: Free Practice 1 – 17:00 – 17:45

29 July: Free Practice 2 – 10:30 – 11:15

29 July: Qualifying – 12:40 – 13:55

29 July: Race – 17:03 – 18:30

ROUND 16

30 July: Free Practice 3 – 10:30 – 11:00

30 July: Qualifying – 12:40 – 13:55

30 July: Race – 17:03 – 18:30

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Cassidy goes top after a thriller in Rome

15 July 2023

Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy claimed another podium to retake the lead of the Formula E Drivers’ Championship standings at the Rome E-Prix on Saturday.

The heat was on in the Italian capital as the 2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship motored towards its climax. After a dramatic race, amid sweltering heat wave conditions, Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy raced superbly to take second, confirming his seventh visit to the podium in 2023, and retakes the lead of the Drivers’ Championship.

Cassidy started the weekend just one point shy of Jake Dennis at the summit of the Drivers’ Championship standings, and heading into Sunday’s second race of the weekend the Kiwi driver leads his British rival by five points. Coming home behind eventual winner Mitch Evans, Cassidy once again executed a superb race strategy, mixing aggression and decisive overtaking with calm energy saving. 

As well as ensuring a return to the top of the Drivers’ Championship, Cassidy’s points haul places Envision Racing at the head of the Teams’ Championship going into Sunday’s Round 14.

Cassidy’s Envision Racing team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi enjoyed a strong qualifying. Starting fourth, the Envision Racing driver recovered from a slow start to run in eighth, looking good before slamming into Sam Bird’s stricken Jaguar, as part of an unavoidable chain reaction involving multiple cars, causing a lengthy race stoppage.  

Thankfully all drivers involved emerged unscathed from the biggest accident of the year.

QUALIFYING

Both Envision Racing drivers headed out in Group B qualifying for the opening race of the weekend in Rome, and Buemi held the second fastest time throughout the opening phase. And second is where the Swiss driver would end up, as more crucially, a crash from Jake Hughes in the dying seconds ended the session prematurely, meant Cassidy would end up ninth on the grid and have no chance to make the shootout.

It was left to Buemi to take up the challenge for Envision Racing in the knock-out phase of qualifying, and he took on McLaren’s Rene Rast as track temperatures continued to rise. After a tense duel, it was Buemi who brilliantly mastered the heat and bumps in Rome to nail the final sector progress into the semi-finals.

And in the second semi-final, Buemi went up against eventual pole position-winner Evans.It was the Jaguar driver who bettered the Envision Racing machine of Buemi to hand the former Formula E champion a fourth place slot on the starting grid.

THE RACE

At the start of the weekend’s opening race, Sam Bird snatched the lead from polesitter Evans as Buemi slipped back immediately, coming to a virtual standstill halfway around the opening lap due to a wayward Maserati. This relegated Buemi to ninth, but aided team-mate Cassidy who slipped by, finding himself in sixth by the end of the opening lap, one place behind championship leader Dennis.

On lap two the first real drama occurred when championship contender Pascal Wehrlein suffered a puncture, relegating the German driver to the rear of the pack. Back up front, Bird cycled to the lead, whilst Cassidy looked to keep in touch with the top five, as Buemi recovered a place back to eighth.

A crashed Andre Lotterer brought out a safety car on lap three, closing up the pack. At the restart the two leading Jaguar cars swapped places with Evans once more assuming the lead with the two Envision Racing cars separated by the Maserati of Maximilian GĂŒnther.

Ahead of Cassidy it was all change, and by lap seven Sacha Fenestraz split the two Jaguars, taking second place, followed by Rast who took third, relegating Bird to fourth. One lap later Fenestraz took the lead as a huge crash involving the Jaguar of Bird, an unsighted Buemi and Edoardo Mortara immediately brought out the red flag, stopping the race.

With heavily damaged cars, carbon fibre shards and debris littering the circuit, a lengthy clean up was required, and when the action got back underway, Cassidy restarted in fifth, one of just 13 cars remaining from the 21 that started.

An understandably cautious Cassidy was passed by GĂŒnther on the opening lap of the restart, as Fenestraz headed the field. Cassidy’s caution made way for bravery a few corners later as Cassidy overtook GĂŒnther to claim fifth with an artful pass.

Rast became the next target for Cassidy on lap 12, and the Envision Racing driver made a brilliant move at Turn 14, to slot in behind Dennis and apply enormous pressure as GĂŒnther continued to hassle.

With 10 laps remaining, the battle at the front really came to the boil as Dennis hit the lead from Fenestraz, Evans and Cassidy. On lap 17, Cassidy claimed third at Turn 4, setting about new second place man Evans as the top three closed up.

Entering the final five laps, Evans headed Dennis with Cassidy just about keeping touch in third and pulling away from GĂŒnther. As Evans and Cassidy took late-race Attack Mode phases, Dennis assumed the lead, only to be re-passed by Evans as Cassidy closed in and snatched second from Dennis. With two laps added to the initial 25-lap distance, Cassidy set about chasing fellow New Zealander Evans as Dennis slipped further down the field. 

At the chequered flag it was Evans who triumphed, with Cassidy close behind in second place. GĂŒnther completed the podium with Dennis holding on to fourth, losing his championship lead to the Envision Racing driver.

“At the start of the race I didn’t expect to be on the podium,” revealed Cassidy. “We had a quick car, and more than anything I was disappointed with qualifying as we had a good shot to make it into the duels, but that was what it was, and we started ninth and had a good race. I felt at the end of the race Mitch was a bit stronger than me, but it is a good result and we will regroup tonight, look at where we are and we will go again tomorrow.”

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 13):
1. Nick Cassidy, 171pts
2. Jake Dennis, 166pts
3. Mitch Evans, 151pts
4. Pascal Wehrlein, 144pts
5. Jean-Éric Vergne, 107pts
8. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 72pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 13):
1. Envision Racing, 243pts
2. Porsche Formula E Team, 237pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 213pts
4. Avalanche Andretti, 189pts
5. DS Penske, 149pts

LATEST NEWS

Another back-to-back victory? Envision Racing eye up more success at the Rome E-Prix

11 July 2023

A crucial double-header in Italy awaits Nick Cassidy and Envision Racing as the battle for both Formula E championship titles heats up. 

The inaugural Portland E-Prix was one to remember for Envision Racing, and in particular Nick Cassidy. Following a difficult double-header weekend in Indonesia for the Jakarta E-Prix, the Kiwi racer bounced back in style to claim his third victory of the year as Formula E competed in the Pacific Northwest for the first time.

The second career victory on US soil for Cassidy proved to be a vital one. Heading into a two-race weekend for the Rome E-Prix, and with just four races remaining in 2023, the Envision Racing driver sits just one point behind Jake Dennis. Coupled with this, Envision Racing are only six points adrift of Teams’ Championship leaders Porsche.

The gladiatorial battle is on in the Eternal City.

Once again this season, Cassidy proved he is a master of the overtake. Starting in 10th, the Berlin and Monaco E-Prix victor executed a supremely measured race plan to add a West Coast triumph to his New York City E-Prix scalp from 2022.

The racing was close and at times chaotic in Portland, and both Cassidy and Envision Racing team-mate Sébastien Buemi will be hoping for a less eventful weekend, back on European soil, and on a familiar layout. 

Buemi certainly knows his way around the streets surrounding the Colosseum, and the Swiss driver has regularly graced the top 10 in the Italian capital, with a best result of fifth achieved in Season 5. Cassidy made waves in Rome during his debut season, claiming a sensational pole position after just his fourth Formula E qualifying session back in 2021.

Will Cassidy be seeking a front row start this time, or would he rather fight from the mid pack?  

THE CHALLENGE IN ROME

Making up Rounds 13 and 14 of the 2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, this year’s race will make up the fifth time the Rome E-Prix has been staged. The first race was hosted in Season 4, with no event held during the COVID-19 pandemic affected season in 2020.

The Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR has become a favourite amongst the Formula E paddock. Featuring one of the longest layouts on the calendar, the layout is packed with varying undulations and elevation changes which can have a major impact on how teams and drivers approach both qualifying, and the race strategy. Add to this iconic landmarks and buildings such as the Piazza G. Marconi and the imposing Piazzale delle Naziono Unite, and you have a stage for both great racing and iconic scenery.

The long straights and tight corners mean that overtaking is going to happen in both races come rain or shine. As witnessed in the previous races this year, leading the early stages in a GEN3 car is not the most ideal thing, and picking the right time to lead the pack will be crucial in determining the winner in 2023. It also means that a front row qualifying slot isn’t make or break for a big points haul in Rome.

Envision Racing have form in Italy, with pole positions and podiums in the record books. With the momentum from Cassidy’s victory in Portland, and a resurgent SĂ©bastien Buemi, all roads could be leading to another big points haul this weekend as the battle for the top heats up in Formula E.  

LAST TIME OUT IN PORTLAND

The very first Portland E-Prix had it all, and Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy showed why he is one of the coolest, and fastest, cats in Formula E.

In 2023 nobody has matched the New Zealand racer in his ability to pull off decisive and sometimes audacious overtakes when it matters. Whether it be fighting back to claim vital points in his championship charge, or securing E-Prix wins in Monaco and Berlin, the Envision Racing driver left Portland in championship contention.

‘Driver of the Race’ Cassidy started his afternoon in the picturesque surrounds of Oregon state six points adrift of Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein as the battle for the win went right down to the final lap. Staring 10th, Cassidy surged to the front, intermittently leading throughout the early phase of the race, saving energy, tyres and composure until the final lap, where he fended off new championship leader Jake Dennis to make it a hat-trick of win in 2023 and remain a bonafide title contender as the season approaches its climax.

Underlining the pace of the Jaguar-powered Envision Racing machine, team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi showed his grit and speed. The Swiss driver battled back from the lower reaches of the pack to end up fifth at the flag to bolster his team’s title challenge, and he will look to score big in Rome as well as help Cassidy’s quest for the Drivers’ Championship.

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 12):
1. Jake Dennis, 154pts
2. Nick Cassidy, 153pts
3. Pascal Wehrlein, 136pts
4. Mitch Evans, 122pts
5. Jean-Éric Vergne, 97pts
8. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 72pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 12):
1. Porsche Formula E Team, 229pts
2. Envision Racing, 225pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 190pts
4. Avalanche Andretti, 177pts
5. DS Penske, 139pts

HOW AND WHERE TO WATCH THE ROME E-PRIX (ALL TIMES BST)

14 July Free Practice 1 – 16:00 – 16:45

15 July Free Practice 2 – 07:10 – 07:55

15 July Qualifying – 09:40 – 10:55

15 July Race – 14:03 – 15:30

16 July Free Practice 3 – 07:10 – 07:55

16 July Qualifying – 09:40 – 10:55

16 July Race – 14:03 – 15:30

Follow Envision Racing here as they look to continue fighting at the front in Formula E in 2023.

 

LATEST NEWS

Envision Racing’s title challenge heads to the United States

19 June 2023

Another new track awaits the team as the Portland E-Prix sees Formula E visit the Pacific Northwest for the first time ever. 

Since its inception in 2014, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has visited the United States six times, but the Portland E-Prix will mark the first time the sport will race outside New York City. And what a spectacle it promises to be.

The vibrant and lively city of Portland, Oregon is located 278km south of Seattle and in the United States beautiful Pacific Northwest region, responsible for grunge music, Frasier, Twin Peaks and, in the Portland International Raceway, one of the most scenic motorsport venues in North America. 

Envision Racing, and their two drivers Nick Cassidy and SĂ©bastien Buemi, head to these new racing pastures following a difficult double-header at the Jakarta E-Prix. Cassidy started the weekend at the summit of the Drivers’ Championship standings, ended it sitting in third place, but still just six points adrift of leader Pascal Wehrlein.

With the Portland E-Prix marking the final non-European race of the year, and just four races remaining after that, both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships are far from decided and the competition will be white hot.

THE CHALLENGE IN PORTLAND 

Unlike many circuits that make up the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar, the Portland International Raceway is a permanent motorsports facility. Most notably, it has hosted IndyCar competition for several decades, as well as other top-level racing series.

The 3.190km circuit features 12 varying corners, and features a huge challenge right at the beginning of the lap; the chicane.

If other racing series are any indicator, more often than not the heavy braking required from the long start-finish straight to get slowed down for this part of the circuit can cause some serious drama. It will certainly provide some thrills and spills, both at the start of the E-Prix as the pack funnels through the right-left-right sequence of turns, and also later in the race, as it will provide a key overtaking place.

As well as a place to gain positions, the chicane will be key in qualifying. Get it right and you will be set up for a quick lap, and potentially a place in the qualification duel.

After the chicane, the circuit opens out into an increasingly flowing challenge with a quick back section which will stretch the capabilities of the new faster, more efficient GEN3 machines, and provide a stage for plenty of overtaking.

LAST TIME OUT IN JAKARTA

Following those two scintillating back-to-back victories for the team in Berlin and Monaco, it was a bit of a reality check last time out at the Jakarta E-Prix.

In the key double-header weekend, the best result for the team came with seventh for Cassidy in Saturday’s opening race, whilst team-mate Buemi had a day to forget, ending up 20th. It wasn’t all bad, however, and Cassidy bagged the fastest lap and an additional point along with six valuable championship points.

The following day, round 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship proved to be the lowest point of the season so far for Cassidy and saw the Kiwi knocked off the top spot in the Drivers’ Championship. A mid-race error resulted in an 18th place finish and with it just the second time in 11 races that Cassidy failed to score points.

Despite this, amid the broiling heat of the Indonesian capital, Buemi managed to end the weekend’s final race in the top 10, showing grit and determination to battle back from an early race setback to snatch 10th and crucial points for the Teams’ Championship.  

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 11):
1. Pascal Wehrlein, 134pts
2. Jake Dennis, 133pts
3. Nick Cassidy, 128pts
4. Mitch Evans, 109pts
5. Jean-Éric Vergne, 97pts
9. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 62pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 11):
1. Porsche Formula E Team, 212pts
2. Envision Racing, 190pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 171pts
4. Avalanche Andretti, 156pts
5. DS Penske, 139pts

RANDOM FACT 

Back in 1997, the premier American single-seater series CART saw a thrilling three-way finish, and one of the closest ever on a road course at the Portland International Raceway . 

On a damp track, British driver Mark Blundell managed to beat rival Gil de Ferran and Raul Boesel by half a tenth of a second, to score his first win in the series and etch the circuit into motorsport legend.

WHERE AND WHEN TO WATCH THE PORTLAND E-PRIX (ALL TIMES BST)

24 June Free Practice 1 – 01:25 – 01:15

24 June Free Practice 2 – 18:25 – 19:15

24 June Qualifying – 20:40 – 21:55

25 June Race – 01:03 – 02:30

Follow Envision Racing here as they look to continue fighting at the front in Formula E in 2023.

LATEST NEWS

Envision Racing leading pack and in-form as season arrives in Indonesia

30 May 2023

NICK CASSIDY AND SÉBASTIEN BUEMI HEAD TO JAKARTA FOR A CRUCIAL DOUBLE-HEADER AS THE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE HEATS UP.

Last time out, on the famous streets of Monte Carlo, Nick Cassidy and Envision Racing showed that they mean business in 2023. After a calculated first victory of the year in Berlin, the New Zealander came out on top, again, making it two wins in a row at the Monaco E-Prix.

This consecutive brace of visits to the top step of the Formula E podium, combined with three podiums, and some solid points finishes, has seen Cassidy establish a 20-point lead as the team head to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.

In fact, with nine races completed so far in the 2022–23 Formula E World Championship, only once has Cassidy failed to score points. As the team move deeper into the second half of the season, just seven races remain, and a considerable chunk of points can be won, (or lost), on the streets of Jakarta.

THE CHALLENGE IN JAKARTA

This year’s E-Prix will mark Envision Racing and Formula E’s second visit to the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit. Last year’s inaugural race consisted of a single event, hosted as the ninth round of 2021–22 Formula E World Championship.

In 2023 two races will be held and, with so many points on offer, the venue could prove a key turning point in who wins both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championship titles.

One thing is for sure: the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit is a fast one, and should be a perfect stage for the new faster, more efficient GEN3 Formula E machines. In particular, Envision Racing’s race-winning Jaguar powertrain will relish the long straight, which kicks off the 2.37km lap, before it is heavy on the brakes to negotiate a tight opening sector.

From there, the circuit opens out into a flowing series of swooping turns and slightly banked corners. Speed and precision will be crucial throughout the early phase of the lap, especially in qualifying, as it concludes with a tight and technical complex to round out the lap.

After powering through the circuit’s 18 turns, it’s the long run down the start-finish straight where Envision Racing will be looking to be the first to see the chequered flag once again.

LAST TIME OUT IN MONACO

The famous streets of Monaco have seen the greats of motorsport win and become legends since 1927. Envision Racing and Cassidy joined that illustrious list with a hard-fought and classy win last time out.

Fresh from victory on the punishing concrete of Tempelhof Airport, Cassidy made it two wins in a row at the Berlin E-Prix with a scintillating performance in Monaco. The Kiwi surged from ninth on the grid to establish himself at the front of the pack via a series of stunning overtakes, capped off by some canny defensive driving.

All this meant that when a late race safety car was triggered by someone else’s accident, Cassidy was sitting pretty, exactly where he likes to be. At the head of the pack, and it was pressure off as he crossed the line to win, behind the safety car, but ahead of his Jaguar-driving compatriot Mitch Evans.

With closest rivals Porsche scoring just a single point at the Monaco E-Prix, Cassidy’s mammoth haul means that heading to Jakarta, the Envision Racing driver sits at the head of the Drivers’ Championship standings, 21 points ahead of Pascal Wehrlein.

On top of that, Envision Racing heads the Teams’ Championship. This is not only down to Cassidy’s mix of consistent points-scoring and race wins, but also the grit and tenacity of ex-Formula E champion and team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi.

The Swiss driver has scored two pole positions this season and shown race-winning speed, but hasn’t enjoyed a great deal of luck come race day. Despite this, Buemi has battled back on several occasions in 2023 to bring home vital points for the team, and will look to get back to the top step of the podium in the remaining races.

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 9):
1. Nick Cassidy, 121pts
2. Pascal Wehrlein, 100pts
3. Jake Dennis, 96pts
4. Mitch Evans, 94pts
5. Jean-Éric Vergne, 87pts
8. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 61pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 9):
1. Envision Racing, 182pts
2. Porsche Formula E Team, 168pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 157pts
4. Avalanche Andretti, 119pts
5. DS Penske, 105pts

HOW AND WHERE TO WATCH (ALL TIMES BST)

02 June Free Practice 1 – 09:25 – 10:15

03 June Free Practice 2 – 02:05 – 02:55

03 June Qualifying – 04:40 – 05:55

03 May Round 10 – 09:03 – 10:30

04 June Free Practice 3 – 02:05 – 02:55

04 June Qualifying – 04:40 – 05:55

04 June Round 11 – 09:03 – 10:30

Follow Envision Racing here as they look to continue fighting at the front in Formula E in 2023.

 

LATEST NEWS

Classy Cassidy wins for Envision Racing in Germany!

23 April 2023

NICK CASSIDY SCORES MAXIMUM POINTS AFTER A WILD SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN BERLIN TO UNDERLINE HIS FORMULA E TITLE CHALLENGE

In a second manic race of the weekend in Berlin, Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy absorbed immense late-race pressure to win the team’s first race of the season, and seal his second career win.

It seemed that in both of the weekend’s races nobody wanted to lead, preferring to play a waiting game. This wasn’t Cassidy’s plan for a Sunday afternoon drive. The Envision Racing driver combined canny energy saving with supreme speed and defensive driving, hitting the front for the final 10 laps, and withstanding a strong challenge from Jake Dennis to claim a well-deserved victory. 

Crucially, the result propels Cassidy to within four points of the Drivers’ Championship summit, and helps consolidate Envision Racing’s second place in the Teams’ Championship standings.

For Cassidy’s team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi, there was little to celebrate on Sunday afternoon in the German capital. Despite a strong qualifying performance and a solid opening phase to the race, any hopes of big points came to an end with front wing damage.

The Swiss driver will look to get back on track next time out on the streets of Monaco.

QUALIFYING

Drivers were faced with a wet track following a period of heavy rain in the German capital for the second qualifying session of the weekend. Under grey skies, for the second consecutive day, both Envision Racing pilots went out on the slippery concrete in the same qualifying group, and both Buemi and Cassidy made it through to the duels, with the former topping the time sheets.

In a repeat of qualifying for the opening race of the weekend, both drivers were paired together for the quarter-final duel. With the rain increasing, this time Cassidy beat his team-mate in another close battle to make it into the semi-finals.

Cassidy’s joy was short-lived. The New Zealander’s winning lap time was cancelled due to an overuse of power, handing a consecutive semi-final appearance to Buemi, who would face-off against the ABT of Robin Frijns. And it was Frijns who prevailed, meaning that Buemi would start Sunday’s race in third, with Cassidy starting eighth. 

RACE

The rain which impacted qualifying for part two of the Berlin E-Prix had been replaced by a dry track, sunny skies and a light wind. When the lights went out to start round eight of the 2022–23 Formula E World Championship, Buemi held onto third position behind the two ABT cars as the field funnelled around the opening corners.

Buemi hit the lead as the ABT duo elected to take an early Attack Mode on lap four, followed by Jean-Éric Vergne. Buemi decided he didn’t want to lead so early on, and activated his first Attack Mode on lap five, dropping to fifth as team-mate Cassidy held ninth position in the opening laps.

By quarter distance, on lap 10, Buemi found himself in sixth, having taken a second Attack Mode with Cassidy just behind. This order didn’t last long as the Kiwi diver made his way around Buemi.

One lap later, Cassidy was up to fifth, followed by Buemi in sixth. The Envision Racing pair followed closely by the two Jaguar Racing machines. Cassidy soon escaped from both his team-mate’s attentions, moving up to third on lap 12.

By the next lap it was all change, with Cassidy and Buemi battling each other, with the latter moving into fourth, with Cassidy dropping to sixth. In what was proving to be a manic squabble amongst the top 10 cars, Buemi emerged at the head of the pack, pursued by championship leader Pascal Wehrlein.

In an E-Prix more closely resembling an IndyCar oval race with the sheer number of lead and position changes, it was Wehrlein to the front on lap 17, with the two Envision Racing cars, headed by Buemi, following in second and third place.

At the halfway point, Envision Racing were running line astern with Cassidy in sixth and Buemi in fifth, amid the chaotic position changes and jockeying for position throughout the top 10. That formation flying didn’t last as Buemi succumbed to front wing damage, forcing the Envision Racing driver to pit.

As Buemi exited, Cassidy pulled off a superb move at the Attack Mode hairpin to leap from fifth to third on lap 24. Third soon became second, and by the end of the lap, Cassidy was leading from Wehrlein.

With relative calm established for the first time all afternoon, Cassidy, with 17 overtakes in the bag, maintained the lead from Jake Dennis and Vergne, as the race approached the final 10 laps. 

Entering the final five laps of the E-Prix, Cassidy came under increasing pressure from Dennis, as the top six closed up once more. Crucially, with three laps remaining, Dennis carried one per cent more energy than Cassidy. But could the British driver break the Envision Racing man’s resistance?

The answer was no, and Cassidy managed to hold on to score a stunning victory on the concrete in Berlin to truly establish himself as a championship contender, as the team look towards the glamour of Monte Carlo for the Monaco E-Prix, and another race win.

“I knew that I would be in the fight for the win, I’ve been in the fight for the last five races,” said Cassidy.

“We had a great opportunity in the first race as well, but I made a mistake, and today we really made it count. The team have given me an opportunity to win pretty much every weekend and as a driver that’s a dream.”

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 8):
1. Pascal Wehrlein, 100pts
2. Nick Cassidy, 96pts
3. Jean-Éric Vergne, 81pts
4. Jake Dennis, 80pts
5. Mitch Evans, 76pts
8. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 57pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 8):
1. Porsche Formula E Team, 168pts
2. Envision Racing, 153pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 138pts
4. DS Penske, 107pts
5. Avalanche Andretti, 103pts

LATEST NEWS

Double points as Cassidy pulls off fight-back to finish fourth after Buemi grabs record pole

22 April 2023

ENVISION RACING EMERGED FROM A DRAMATIC OPENING RACE IN BERLIN WITH A SOLID POINTS HAUL AND FRONT-RUNNING PACE  

In qualifying for the Berlin E-Prix, Envision Racing’s SĂ©bastien Buemi made history and beat them all, scoring a record breaking 16th career pole position, more than any other driver in the history of the series.

In the race, the Swiss driver ran at the front until the final laps, being forced to settle for fourth, after losing out on a podium in a near photo finish.

For Buemi’s team-mate Nick Cassidy it was a case of what might have been. Fresh from a podium finish last time out in Brazil, the New Zealander recovered from a mid-race pit-stop to repair damage to come from last to fifth at the flag, and recover some vital championship points to ensure he sits second in the Drivers’ Championship standings ahead of the weekend’s second race. 

QUALIFYING

Both Envision Racing drivers hit the track in qualifying Group A and immediately showed strong pace. Running near the top of the times throughout the opening session, Buemi ended up second with Cassidy third, ensuring that both would make another appearance in the knock-out phase of qualifying.

After a brief pause, it was time for the duels. The first quarter final consisted of an all Envision Racing battle, with Buemi taking on Cassidy. After a hotly contested lap, it was Buemi who emerged quickest, and subsequently progressed to the semi-finals, beating Cassidy in a close battle, meaning the Kiwi racer would have to settle for a solid sixth.

In the first semi-final, Buemi took on reigning champion Stoffel Vandoorne. After a tight head-to-head, the Envision Racing driver triumphed, proving to be quicker than the DS Penske driver, ensuring a front row start and his second final appearance this season.

The final saw an all-Jaguar-powered draw as Buemi took on Sam Bird. The Swiss driver immediately established his authority in the early part of his lap, surging to a second pole position of the season.

THE RACE  

On the baking hot concrete apron of Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport, under Berlin’s bright blue skies, Buemi lost out to a rapid-starting Dan Ticktum, relegating the polesitter to second, as Cassidy followed his team-mate, losing one position, and dropping to seventh on the opening lap.

Buemi elected to take an early Attack Mode on lap five, dropping to fourth, as Bird cycled to the lead ahead of Jake Dennis and Ticktum. One lap later it was all change as Bird took his first Attack Mode of the afternoon, allowing Buemi to retake second place.

By lap eight, Buemi found himself in fourth, behind Vandoorne, the man he beat in qualifying. Further back, Cassidy found himself in a multi-car battle with the likes of Pascal Wehrlein and the two McLarens.

In what was shaping up to be a thrilling Berlin E-Prix, the Maserati of Edoardo Mortara briefly led on lap 12, losing out to Dennis, before a safety car was called to clear up debris from a collision between Rene Rast and SĂ©rgio Sette CĂąmara. With the pace slowed, Buemi held third, the Envision Racing driver clearly adopting a waiting game in the first half of the race.

By the halfway point of the E-Prix it all started to come together for Envision Racing. Buemi found himself in the lead, whilst Cassidy made his way up from 11th to seventh, seemingly with damage.  

As Buemi lost the lead to Mitch Evans a four-car coming together, featuring early-race leader Ticktum, Vaandorne, Norman Nato and Rast, triggered a second safety car. Significantly, as the race was neutralised, Cassidy was forced to pit to deal with some damage, dropping the Kiwi to the back of the pack.

At the restart, on lap 23, Buemi quickly snatched the lead from Evans, who in turn was passed by Maximilian GĂŒnther, who then passed the leading Envision Racing machine to hit the front. It was all change two laps later as Buemi dropped to fourth, then fifth, but remained in the hunt with strong energy figures.

By lap 27 it was a Jaguar-powered top three, with Evans leading Bird and Buemi, as for the first time in the weekend’s opening race, the field started to spread out slightly. A lap later that order was shuffled as Buemi cycled to the lead once more and pulled away from Bird. Approaching the final 10 laps it was Bird’s turn to lead from Buemi as the focus on remaining energy intensified. 

As the race entered its closing laps, Buemi’s quest for the victory also intensified. The Envision Racing man started feigning to overtake leader Bird, and eventually made his move for the lead on lap 36, successfully claiming the lead ahead of the two Jaguar cars. Whilst all eyes were on Buemi, his team-mate Cassidy was driving superbly, recovering from his earlier mishap to run in ninth with vital championship points on the cards.

With three laps added to the initial 40-lap race distance it was all to play for in a four-car battle for the win. Starting lap 40, Buemi was forced to defend from Bird, and then from Evans as the Jaguars swapped places and held each other up, allowing GĂŒnther to join the fight.

Evans quickly surged into the lead, passing Buemi and placing him in the crosshairs of team-mate Bird. By the time the final lap came around, Buemi was under intense pressure from Bird, forcing the Envision Racing driver to call upon all his defensive driving experience.

Buemi’s valiant defence ended on the final lap, as Bird snatched second. In what proved to be a frustrating lap for the pole-sitter, Buemi was passed by GĂŒnther on the line to end up fourth. As Evans made it two wins in a row ahead of Bird and GĂŒnther, Cassidy capped an incredible comeback drive to end up fifth and will look to a less frantic second race of the weekend to underline his title challenge.

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 7):
1. Pascal Wehrlein, 94pts
2. Nick Cassidy, 71pts
3. Jean-Éric Vergne, 66pts
4. Mitch Evans, 64pts
5. Jake Dennis, 62pts
8. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 57pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 7):
1. Porsche Formula E Team, 152pts
2. Envision Racing, 128pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 126pts
4. DS Penske, 88pts
5. Avalanche Andretti, 85pts

LATEST NEWS

Crucial Berlin double-header awaits Envision Racing’s title challengers

17 April 2023

ALL EYES ON VICTORY AND THE TOP OF THE TEAMS’ AND DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP AS FORMULA E HEADS TO GERMANY 

The opening six races of the 2022–23 Formula E World Championship have served up an absolute treat of wheel-to-wheel action and drama. As Envision Racing heads to the German capital for the Berlin E-Prix, the team find themselves as genuine title contenders.

Despite that elusive first victory of the season remaining just out of the reach, Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy sits third in the Drivers’ Championship standings. The Kiwi racer’s hat-trick of podiums place him just one point behind Jake Dennis in second, and 25 points off first-placed driver Pascal Wehrlein.

Not too far behind Cassidy is Envision Racing team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi. The multiple 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and ex-Formula One racer has shown scintillating pace in the new GEN3 machine, only to be hamstrung somewhat by a distinct lack of luck.

Despite this, the Swiss driver sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, and a change in fortunes and solid points haul in Berlin could quickly help propel him up the rankings.

BIG WEEKEND FOR BIG TEAM POINTS

After three single race weekends on brand new circuits, Formula E returns to Europe for the first double-header since the Diriyah E-Prix back in January. This weekend will be a chance to bag big points.

Envision Racing, and in particular Cassidy, have excelled on the brand new circuits of Hyderabad, Cape Town and Sao Paulo, amassing 62 points for the team to ensure second place in the Teams’ Championship standings.

With two races scheduled, the Berlin E-Prix will be a vital one for teams looking to recover from a slow start to the year, or in Envision Racing’s case, chase that so far agonisingly close victory.

Big points on the apron at Tempelhof Airport will be key to Envision Racing’s challenge as the second half of the 2022–23 Formula E World Championship beckons.

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 6):
1. Pascal Wehrlein, 86pts
2. Jake Dennis, 62pts
3. Nick Cassidy, 61pts
4. Jean-Éric Vergne, 60pts
5. AntĂłnio FĂ©lix da Costa, 58pts
7. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 42pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 6):
1. Porsche Formula E Team, 144pts
2. Envision Racing, 103pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 83pts
4. DS Penske, 82pts
5. Avalanche Andretti, 80pts

BACK ON FAMILIAR GROUND

This year’s Berlin E-Prix will be far from the first time the Envision Racing squad have competed in the historic and vibrant German capital. The inaugural Berlin E-Prix was held in 2015 as a stand alone race. In 2017, the Berlin E-Prix became a double-header for the first time, and in that year current Envision Racing charger SĂ©bastien Buemi won his second race in the German capital.

For the COVID-19 pandemic-impacted season in 2020, the Tempelhof Circuit did some seriously heavy lifting. As the world locked down, and sporting events and travel became restricted, the German venue hosted six back-to-back races between August 5 and 13 to decide the outcome of the 2019–20 Formula E Championship. 

Things will be a lot more straightforward this year, and Buemi will be looking to make it a hat-trick of career wins in Berlin.

THE CHALLENGE IN BERLIN

Following six races on asphalt, the surface of the circuit of the Tempelhof Airport Circuit offers a very different challenge for the teams and drivers. In Berlin, the expansive concrete apron of the historic Tempelhof Airport, designed for planes rather than cars, will provide the stage for both races.

As a result, the racing surface is highly abrasive and key to success will be a focus on energy management as well as ensuring that tyre wear is closely monitored. Add to that the fact that it is now summer in Europe and there’s little to no shade, so the track will get pretty hot come race day.

There are plenty of places to overtake as the wide straights and sweeping turns lead into four hairpins. Envision Racing have already proven that their Jaguar-powered machine is a front-runner and if Nick Cassidy and SĂ©bastien Buemi can handle the heat and manage the tyre wear across the circuit’s 10 varying turns, more massive points will be earned and that first win of the season might just be on the cards.

LAST  TIME OUT

What a race it was in Sao Paulo.

Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy once again made it into the knock-out phase of qualifying and ended up fifth on the grid as Formula E did its thing for the first time in Brazil. 

The Kiwi claimed third place in Cape Town, and in South America ran at the front all race, refusing to give up on chasing down eventual race winner Mitch Evans in the Jaguar. In what was one of the most exciting battles of the year so far, Cassidy ended up as the meat in a Jaguar sandwich, defending from Evans’ team-mate Sam Bird in a near photo finish..

Further back, Cassidy’s Envision Racing team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi had a tough afternoon. The Swiss driver used all his experience to battle back from an early race setback to take 10th at the flag.

Buemi knows what it takes to win in Berlin, and Cassidy will be hunting a fourth consecutive podium finish, and just maybe, that first E-Prix victory of the season.

WHERE AND WHEN TO CATCH THE ACTION (ALL TIMES BST)

FREE PRACTICE 1 

Friday 21/04 – 15:55 – 16:45

FREE PRACTICE 2

Saturday 22/04 – 07:05 – 07:55

QUALIFYING

Saturday 22/04 – 09:40 – 10:55

RACE 1

Saturday 22/04 – 14:03 – 15:30

FREE PRACTICE 3

Sunday 23/04 – 07:05 – 07:55

QUALIFYING

Sunday 23/04 – 09:40 – 10:55

RACE 2

Sunday 23/04 – 14:03 – 15:30

 

Follow Envision Racing at the Cape Town E-Prix and throughout the 2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship HERE

LATEST NEWS

Podium hat-trick for Cassidy after thriller in Brazil

25 March 2023

ON-SONG NICK CASSIDY FOUGHT FOR VICTORY UNTIL THE VERY END AT THE SAO PAULO E-PRIX 

For the third race in a row, Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy claimed a Formula E podium, with a second place finish at the inaugural São Paulo E-Prix.

That elusive victory proved just 0.284 seconds out of reach after a thrilling battle with the Jaguar Racing cars of eventual winner Mitch Evans, and third-place finisher Sam Bird, meaning Cassidy now sits third in the Drivers’ Championship standings, just 24 points off top spot.

Starting fifth, Cassidy once again showed he and his Envision Racing machine are a certified front-running package. Following on from a hard-fought third place in Cape Town, Cassidy ran at the front all race, pulling off seven overtakes by lap 22, and in the closing stages, refused to give in to a rapid Evans, hustling his fellow New Zealand driver all the way to the flag whilst simultaneously defending from Bird.

Further back, Cassidy’s Envision Racing team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi had a tough afternoon. Starting 12th, early progress was abruptly halted on lap two by an incident that left him nursing badly injured hands.

But the Swiss driver used all his experience to battle back to 10th at the flag, showing that both Envision Racing cars have pace while bagging a vital point for the team, and helping consolidate second place in the Teams’ standings as Formula E heads back to Europe for the Berlin E-Prix double-header.

QUALIFYING 

Once again, come qualifying time, both Envision Racing drivers showed good pace. Going out on track first in Group A, Cassidy ended up second quickest, again confirming a place in the head-to-head phase. Buemi had to settle for sixth quickest in the second qualifying group, ensuring a starting slot of 12th on the grid.

For Cassidy, In the knockout phase of qualifying, there was to be no repeat of the semi-final appearance enjoyed last time out in Cape Town. The Envision Racing driver was bettered by Edoardo Mortara, and had to settle for fifth place on the starting grid.

THE RACE

Cassidy executed a perfect start, immediately moving up from fifth to fourth as the pack edited the tight opening chicane, with team-mate Buemi also making progress, moving up two places from 12th to 10th.

Buemi’s move through the pack was halted after a coming together Maximilian GĂŒnther on lap two, relegating the Envision Racing driver to the rear of the field as he also dealt with painful injuries. Up front, pole position-winner Stoffel Vandoorne maintained his place at the head of the field throughout the opening laps, followed by AntĂłnio FĂ©lix da Costa and Evans, who found himself under some serious pressure from compatriot Cassidy.

Cassidy made his way into third place, passing da Costa on lap eight, just as a safety car was deployed to allow for the removal of Sacha Fenestraz’s stricken car. With the stationary Nissan safely off the track, racing resumed on lap 12, as Cassidy set about overhauling the Jaguar of Evans.

With racing back underway, da Costa quickly retook third place from Cassidy as the pack settled back into the rhythm of the race. By lap 13, da Costa was up into second, passing Evans as Cassidy followed suit, with a brave move, to run in the top three once again.

On lap 14 Cassidy powered into the lead on the pit straight, passing two cars, before taking his first Attack Mode of the race, and crucially re-emerging in second place. It wasn’t long until Cassidy was back in the lead, passing Vandoorne to take the initiative as the race hit the halfway mark.

With Cassidy and Envision Racing at the front, a second safety car was triggered by a stationary Jake Dennis. When racing resumed on lap 18, Cassidy headed the pack, with da Costa hot on his heels and Vandoorne in third.

Third became first for Vandoorne as Cassidy and Jean-Éric Vergne took Attack Mode. Now in third place, Cassidy soon found himself back at the front as Vandoorne and Evans took their respective Attack Mode phase. On lap 20, Evans snatched the lead from Cassidy, setting the fastest lap and looking to put daylight between his Jaguar and the Envision Racing machine.    

Evans took another Attack Mode phase on lap 24, allowing Cassidy to lead once more. Behind, a mistake from da Costa relegated the Porsche driver down to seventh. Up front, Cassidy managed to pull a gap of over a second back to Evans.

With the closing laps approaching, the battle between the Kiwi racers was on. Evans managed to cut the gap to Cassidy as the race duration was extended by four laps due to the earlier safety car periods. Behind Evans, his Jaguar team-mate Sam Bird looked to join the fight for the win. At the front, with the four added laps left to run it suddenly became a three-way battle for the lead. Evans grabbed the initiative at turn three, relegating Cassidy to second. 

Despite Evans’ ominous pace, the Envision Racing driver refused to give up, and by the start of the final lap, Cassidy remained close to leader Evans whilst defending from a resurgent Bird in third. It all went down to the wire as a super aggressive Cassidy couldn’t quite get around Evans, but managed to defend from Bird to secure a stunning second place and ensuring three Jaguar-powered cars lock out the podium in Brazil. 

Whilst Cassidy scored a third consecutive podium, his Envision Racing team-mate Buemi fought back to score points with a 10th place finish.

“Before the race I said that I would be super happy with a podium finish,” said Cassidy after the race.

“That was Formula E at its best, so much fun from a driver’s point of view, and I hope it was a good watch for the fans. It was a pretty strategic race, and to finish with Jaguar-powered cars one, two and three is pretty cool.

“I knew to get the win I would have to do something pretty special to beat Mitch (Evans), but that would have been a big risk in terms of losing out and ending up third.”

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 6):
1. Pascal Wehrlein, 86pts
2. Jake Dennis, 62pts
3. Nick Cassidy, 61pts
4. Jean-Éric Vergne, 60pts
5. AntĂłnio FĂ©lix da Costa, 58pts
7. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 42pts

Teams’ standings (after Rd 6):
1. Porsche Formula E Team, 144pts
2. Envision Racing, 103pts
3. Jaguar Racing, 83pts
4. DS Penske, 82pts
5. Avalanche Andretti, 80pts

 

LATEST NEWS

Envision Racing all set for success as Formula E arrives in Brazil

20 March 2023

SÉBASTIEN BUEMI AND NICK CASSIDY WILL LOOK TO FIGHT AT THE FRONT ONCE AGAIN AS THEY HEAD TO SOUTH AMERICA FOR THE INAUGURAL SAO PAULO E-PRIX

When it comes to motorsport, Brazil has produced some of the greatest drivers of all time. Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Emerson Fittipaldi and Rubens Barrichello are just a few that have become household names at the highest level of the sport. It is fitting therefore, that after a gap of five years, the world’s fastest all-electric racing series heads to a continent with a passion for high-speed, wheel-to-wheel action. 

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship was scheduled to go to Brazil for the Rio de Janeiro E-Prix, way back in Season 1, however this never happened due to technical and logistical reasons. Fast forward to 2023, and this season’s E-Prix in São Paulo will mark the third consecutive event to be held on a brand new circuit, following on from the Hyderabad E-Prix. and the last race in Cape Town, South Africa.

With Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy sitting fifth in the Drivers’ Championship standings, just two points ahead of team-mate SĂ©bastien Buemi, and the team holding a superb second place in the Team’s Championship order, the upcoming visit to SĂŁo Paulo could prove to be a happy hunting ground. Both Cassidy and Buemi are within contention for the title after five races so far in 2023, and Envision Racing sit 32 points behind Porsche, totally focused on closing that gap.

THE CHALLENGE IN BRAZIL

The SĂŁo Paulo Street Circuit measures out at 2.96km, with 11 turns in total, and is partially made up of the layout which hosted IndyCar competition until a decade ago. It comprises three long straights which will test the top speed capabilities of the new GEN3 Formula E machines.

As well as some anticipated high speeds on the SĂŁo Paulo streets, the drivers will have to negotiate a couple of tricky chicanes, as well as a good mix of tight, 90 degree turns, a tight hairpin and some sweeping corners.

Envision Racing’s Buemi will be hoping for a similar result to one he scored in South America back in 2015. The Swiss driver won the Punta del Este ePrix that year, and with the form and pace shown by the team so far this in 2023, Buemi will be amongst the favourites for victory in São Paulo. 

Key to success for both Envision Racing drivers will be getting to grips with the circuit as quickly as possible in the weekend’s opening practice session, and if the performances displayed at new circuits in India and South Africa are anything to go by, there’s going to be very little to worry about on that score. 

LAST TIME OUT IN SOUTH AFRICA

What a weekend it was in South Africa.

The first ever Cape Town E-Prix was certainly one to remember. Buemi did well to recover from a sizeable accident in the first practice session of the weekend and make it into the qualifying duels. Come race day did even better to come back and finish fifth after being punted off and spun around on the opening lap by championship leader Pascal Wehrlein.

For Buemi’s team-mate, the Cape Town E-Prix provided a platform to stake his claim as a Formula E front-runner and championship contender. Once again in 2023, the green Jaguar-powered Envision Racing machine excelled in qualifying as Cassidy joined Buemi in the knock-out phase of, making it into the semi-finals and lining up a stellar third on the grid.

In the race, Cassidy held the lead during the opening stages, and showed that he and Envision Racing had the pace to challenge for the victory. The Kiwi driver’s hard work paid off on the last lap, as sitting in fourth, Cassidy took advantage of a mistake by third place man Sacha Fenestra  to clinch his second consecutive podium.

After being cruelly denied a third place finish at the Hyderabad E-Prix due to a post-race penalty, Buemi did extremely well to draw on his speed and years of experience to come from last on the opening lap, to end up fifth at the flag.

Drivers standings (after Rd 5):
1. Pascal Wehrlein, 80pts
2. Jake Dennis, 62pts
3. Jean-Éric Vergne, 50pts
4. AntĂłnio FĂ©lix da Costa, 46pts
5. Nick Cassidy, 43pts
6. SĂ©bastien Buemi, 41pts

Team standings (after Rd 5):
1. Porsche Formula E Team, 126pts
2. Envision Racing, 84pts
3. Avalanche Andretti, 80pts
4. McLaren Formula E Team, 66pts
5. DS Penske, 61pts

DID YOU KNOW?

It’s safe to say that the continent of South America contains some pretty big cities. However, none are bigger than the home of this weekend’s E-Prix.

That’s because São Paulo is the most populous city in the Americas, the western hemisphere and also the southern hemisphere. Among its more than 12 million inhabitants includes approximately 1.6 million Japanese-Brazilians living in São Paulo, making it the largest concentration of individuals of Japanese descent outside of Japan.

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH THE SÃO PAULO E-PRIX (All times GMT)

Free Practice 1 Friday 24 March – 19:25 – 20:15

Free Practice 2 Saturday 25 March – 10:25 – 11:15

Qualifying Saturday 25 March – 12:40 – 13:55

E-Prix Saturday 25 March 17:03 – 18:30

Follow Envision Racing at the Cape Town E-Prix and throughout the 2022–23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship HERE