Wearing a helmet in the green of Saudi Arabia with his initials in Arabic, world champion Jake Dennis sealed a sensational double-figure win at the 2024 Diriyah E-Prix on Friday night, securing victory by 13.289 seconds.
Under the lights in Diriyah, the Englishman blew away the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship competition to record the second-largest winning margin ever in the 10-year history of Formula E.
Having begun the race in third after an impressive qualifying showing, Dennis produced a commanding performance from start to finish with blistering pace and a fastest lap bonus point en route to a maiden career win in Saudi Arabia.
Dennis said: “It’s always special to win at any circuit but to win here beneath the lights in such a cool circuit and a cool night race is amazing, especially with a special helmet design as well. It’s an incredible feeling – very rare but very welcome. I have my initials in Arabic on my helmet, and the green is to replicate the Saudi colours. I wanted a really cool design and pattern and I think it worked out perfectly – to see it on the top step is pretty special. Now, I want to replicate what we did tonight tomorrow.”
Despite a ninth-place finish in the Season 10 opener in Mexico City a fortnight ago, Dennis said ahead of the race that he was high in confidence heading into round 2 at the Diriyah Circuit. He insisted his Andretti Global team had “learned lessons” from round 1 and that “everything was back in order”.
These statements came true at the Diriyah Circuit – and victory in such dominant fashion sent a statement of intent for the season ahead, igniting his world title defence in the process.
Dennis added: “It was an incredible performance by the team and myself, we attacked throughout and ultimately we got the result. Once we got into the lead, we were smart with our energy management but pushed when we had to. We were extremely competitive and tonight we showed that we’re one of the fastest on the circuit.”
Having started from pole position, two-time world champion Jean-Eric Vergne finished second with a measured drive that showcased his championship credentials. The DS PENSKE driver – who took a record-equalling 16th career ABB FIA Formula E World Championship pole on Friday afternoon – was pleased with the latest podium in his distinguished career.
Vergne said: “Usually, I would be the first one to be extremely disappointed not to win a race having done the poll, but looking at the pace of Jake and also the Jaguars around me, they were so strong. I’m very glad to have kept the second position. It was not an easy race for us. But for the improvement that we’ve made within the team and also on the car to be where we are today, we are in the position to fight with those guys. We’ve come a long way but we still need to find the edge to be able to beat this guy (Dennis). But I’m very proud of the team and all the work that’s been done, and we’re going to keep pushing and I’m sure we still have a bit more.”
New Zealander Nick Cassidy also continued his bright start to the new season in Diriyah. The Jaguar TCS Racing driver and last season’s world championship runner-up wrapped up a second successive third place podium finish.
Cassidy said: “Firstly, thank you Saudi Arabia, it’s awesome to see an event like this in Formula E. To have a podium here is very nice. I’m really happy with the start to the season – it’s the best start to a season I’ve had before, so it’s really nice. I’ve got to keep working but it’s a nice start points wise.”
Speaking about Jaguar TCS Racing team-mate Mitch Evans, who looked set for a podium finish but missed out, Cassidy admitted: “I feel sorry for him, I feel it should have been him in this position. I’d have been happy with fourth.”
Next up at the 2024 Diriyah E-Prix is the second part of this year’s ‘Double Header in the Dark’ – round 3 of the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on Saturday night.
With a weekend of supercharged action and electrified entertainment well underway, fans can still secure their seats for the Saturday January 27 race here. Grandstand and general admission tickets are available from SAR100.
The Diriyah E-Prix is part of an incredible year-round schedule of international sports in the Kingdom, with motorsport, football, boxing, tennis, esports, combat sports, golf, and equestrian events all locked in for 2024 – with more to come.
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