Maximilian Guenther claimed a thrilling victory at the first-ever Jeddah E-Prix, Round 3 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, with a stunning last-corner overtake on Nissan’s Oliver Rowland. This win marks Guenther’s first for DS PENSKE and his first since Tokyo last season.
Guenther started from pole position, his first since Jakarta 2023, and initially led the race. However, the race dynamic shifted with the introduction of Formula E’s mandatory PIT BOOST pit stops. Rowland, Taylor Barnard, and Nyck de Vries capitalized on their extra energy early in the race, gaining an advantage while Guenther strategically conserved his boost for later.
As the race unfolded, Guenther steadily fought his way back, setting the fastest lap on Lap 27 and eventually closing in on leader Rowland. In a nail-biting final lap, Guenther saw his chance at the last chicane, executing a perfect overtake to snatch victory just before the checkered flag. This win breaks a 17-race winless streak for polesitters in Formula E.
The race had significant implications for the championship standings. Rowland now leads the Drivers’ Championship with 43 points, surpassing Antonio Felix da Costa. In the Teams’ Championship, Porsche holds a slim three-point lead over DS PENSKE, while Nissan leads the Manufacturers’ table. With Round 4 taking place in Jeddah the following day, the championship promises more intense battles and unexpected twists.
Quotes from the Top Three:
- Maximilian Guenther (DS Penske, No.7): “This means everything to me. It’s the first win with my new team, DS Penske. It was a lot of hard work, a big race but an amazing outcome for us. We lost quite a few places around the pit stop window, but we just stayed calm and did our race. I didn’t expect to come back all the way. I thought a podium would have been good, but to do it in the end and to win it is an extra special feeling. I didn’t want to leave it until the last corner but there was no other option – Oli was doing a mega job today, a great race. I believed until the end!”
- Oliver Rowland (Nissan Formula E Team, No.22): “We had a plan before the race and we executed it pretty well. I’m a little bit disappointed because when I had such a gap, if I’d under consumed a bit I’d have had enough energy to defend from Max [GUENTHER]. He caught me napping a little bit and I couldn’t do much in the last corner. Nevertheless we scored some great points and on to tomorrow.”
- Taylor Barnard (NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, No.5): “Starting from P4 a podium was always my hope, but you never know how the race is going to play out. It was the first PIT BOOST race as well, so to know that we’ve done the procedure that well as a team, I couldn’t be happier to be P3.”
Celebrity Guests Add Glamour to Jeddah E-Prix:
The inaugural Jeddah E-Prix attracted a host of global stars. Georgina Rodríguez, partner of football star Cristiano Ronaldo, waved the checkered flag and interacted with drivers and teams. Singer-songwriter Akon enjoyed the race from the EMOTION CLUB VIP area before headlining a performance on the fan stage. F1 Academy Champion Abbi Pulling, along with British TV personality Josh Denzel and local influencers, were also in attendance, adding to the excitement and glamour of the event. Over 15,000 fans attended the sold-out race.
Summary:
- Maximilian Guenther won the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix.
- Oliver Rowland finished second, and Taylor Barnard took third.
- Rowland leads the Drivers’ Championship.
- Porsche leads the Teams’ Championship.
- A host of celebrities attended the event.
Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional motorsport advice. Formula E racing is a dangerous sport and spectators should always follow official safety instructions.
Source: Formula E
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
