On paper, Andretti’s season opener in Sao Paulo might look like a disaster: two retirements, zero points, and an uphill climb. But behind the disappointing race-day results lies a promising foundation that could catapult the team back to Formula E’s elite this season. With Jake Dennis rediscovering his form and new teammate Nico Mueller settling in, Andretti is primed to contend for wins as the season progresses.
Jake Dennis: Back in the Groove
Jake Dennis, the Season 9 champion, showed flashes of his best despite an early retirement in Sao Paulo. Dennis topped second practice, narrowly missed pole by 0.001 seconds, and had the pace to potentially win before an unknown powertrain failure ended his race.
“I found my mojo again,” Dennis said. “We were quick, and that’s the most important thing coming into the season.” Reflecting on the failure, Dennis pointed to the introduction of four-wheel-drive for qualifying, starts, and Attack Mode as a potential stressor for the powertrain, but he remained optimistic: “It was looking good, maybe even for the win.”
The loss of one powertrain so early in the season puts Dennis at a disadvantage, but his speed in Sao Paulo reminded rivals why he’s one of the grid’s top talents.
Mueller’s Potential Shines Despite Early Exit
Nico Mueller, stepping into Andretti’s second seat, had a baptism by fire. A collision ended his race on the second lap, but the Swiss driver showed promise throughout the weekend. Coming from Porsche’s factory program, Mueller brings valuable insight to the team and complements Dennis with his methodical approach.
“It’s always an interesting phase when you’re settling into a new team,” Mueller said. “We’ve clearly seen that the package is strong, and that’s a very important kind of baseline for the season.”
The Porsche Connection and Incremental Progress
Andretti continues its partnership with Porsche, a relationship that has kept the team competitive. Porsche’s GEN3 Evo powertrain, which has been tweaked rather than overhauled, provides a strong platform for Dennis and Mueller to fight at the front.
“There’s no major revolution, just incremental improvements across all aspects of the powertrain,” said team principal Roger Griffiths. “The car generally feels quite similar, and we’ve worked on improving areas where we were weak last year.”
This steady progress mirrors Jaguar’s approach, setting up a three-way fight between Andretti, Jaguar, and Nissan, which has made significant strides in efficiency.
Looking Ahead: Mexico City
As the season moves to Mexico City, a venue where Dennis dominated two years ago, Andretti is confident it can translate its Sao Paulo promise into points. Dennis aims for no less than a podium, while Mueller focuses on delivering a clean weekend to unlock the car’s full potential.
“We were probably the quickest car in Sao Paulo, so there’s no reason why other teams shouldn’t be worried about us,” Dennis stated. “We are champions from only a couple of seasons ago, and nothing has changed all that much.”
Mueller echoed the sentiment: “We have a strong car, and the team has proven many times that it’s very good at exploiting potential. Sao Paulo was a tough start, but it’s clear the foundation we have is very good.”
A Season Full of Promise
Despite a rocky start, Andretti has shown the speed and resilience needed to compete for wins this season. With Dennis regaining his confidence and Mueller bringing fresh insights, the team’s upward trajectory could see it reclaim its spot at the top of the Formula E hierarchy. If they can turn their speed into consistent results, the rest of the grid should beware—Andretti is far from done.
