Jake Dennis Wins First Race Of GEN3 Era 2023 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix

Jake Dennis wins first race of GEN3 era 2023 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix (Image Source: IANS)

Avalanche Andretti Formula E team driver Jake Dennis produced a dominant drive to win the 2023 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix and the first race for the world's fastest, lightest, electric race car, the GEN3.

Dennis climbed from second on the starting grid to win the race ahead of TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team driver Pascal Wehrlein who started from sixth to finish second and Mahindra Racing's Lucas di Grassi who slipped from Julius Baer Pole Position to finish third.

After the race, Dennis soaked in the adulation of the Foro Sol and the capacity crowd of more than 40,000 passionate fans who witnessed the historic debut of the GEN3, a race car performing at the very limit of innovation and pushing the boundaries of EV technology.

The Andretti driver made what would be the race-winning move on Lap 12, with the Brit taking advantage of an opening left by di Grassi.

From there, Dennis stretched his lead, and through three Safety Car periods, he was able to run away with the race lead, eventually beating Wehrlein by a huge seven seconds.

Last year's winner in Mexico, Wehrlein, pushed to an eventual 11-second margin on third-placed di Grassi, having clambered up from sixth on the grid, with the German manufacturer Porsche finishing up with four of its powertrains in the top ten.

Although di Grassi started in pole, he found himself on the defensive entering the final third of the race and it took all the Brazilian's guile to see off the attentions of NEOM McLaren Formula E Team's Jake Hughes over the closing stages.

Eventually, the rookie would be preoccupied with Lotterer looming in his mirrors, relieving the pressure on di Grassi. Lotterer, who moved to the Porsche-powered Andretti team in the off-season, went past Hughes' McLaren on the inside at the hairpin on the final lap.

Fifth was no disappointment for Hughes on debut; the rookie more than impressing ever since he took the McLaren seat at testing in Valencia. He headed home a resurgent Sebastien Buemi - the Swiss having moved from Nissan to Envision Racing over the winter and back on-song.

Season 6 champion Antonio Felix da Costa added to Porsche's tally with seventh spot on the day, fighting his way up through the points positions late-race with a belated ATTACK MODE. Mitch Evans quietly claimed points and eighth for Jaguar TCS Racing, Nick Cassidy made it two Envision Racing cars in the points with ninth, while reigning champion Stoffel Vandoorne could only steer his DS PENSKE to a single point from 14th on the grid.

Dennis sealed the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap.

Rounds 2 and 3 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship take place in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on January 27 and January 28.

Jake Dennis said: "The fans here have been sensational. In that final lap I could really hear them cheering. To start on the front row and then win by that much, with a Porsche one-two, so big shout out to my team. It was such a physical race. These cars are so hard to drive physically and with the lower grip as well, it makes everything more challenging. But it's even more rewarding, especially when you win by five seconds. Time for some tequila with the team, an incredible race. My team and I have such a good relationship together. We just work so well. It didn't look like it was happening in qualifying, we turned it round, made some small adjustments for the race and absolutely nailed it. Big kudos to my guys, this is a small repayment to them and hope to have more success because Saudi isn't that far away."

Rounds 2 and 3 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship take place in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, on January 27 and January 28.

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