The 2024 Formula E season roared to life with a dramatic opener in Sao Paulo that saw reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein survive a terrifying crash, Mitch Evans claim an extraordinary win from 22nd on the grid, and chaos reign throughout a race packed with incidents and surprises.
Wehrlein’s Frightening Crash Halts the Race
The defining moment of the race came in a violent crash involving Pascal Wehrlein and Nick Cassidy. Cassidy’s damaged Jaguar, compromised moments earlier in a collision with DS Penske’s Maximilian Guenther, appeared uncontrollable as Wehrlein attempted to pass around the outside. Contact sent Wehrlein’s Porsche into the wall, flipping it onto its roof.
Wehrlein’s car slid down the track upside down, prompting an immediate red flag. Though the German quickly radioed that he was uninjured, he was trapped in the overturned car for nearly 10 minutes before being safely extricated and taken to a local hospital for precautionary checks. No serious injuries were reported.
Evans’s Remarkable Victory
Mitch Evans’s road to glory was as improbable as it was brilliant. Starting 22nd after his Jaguar’s emergency brake triggered during qualifying, Evans carved through the field, aided by savvy attack mode deployment and fortuitous red flag timing.
The first red flag was brought out when Jake Dennis’s Andretti Porsche stopped on track due to an isolation issue. At the restart, Evans and Cassidy were uniquely positioned with attack mode still available, allowing them to surge into a Jaguar 1-2.
Evans timed his attack mode deployment perfectly, overtaking Cassidy and fending off Antonio Felix da Costa’s late charge to secure a remarkable victory. “This was a crazy race, but we stayed calm and made the most of every opportunity,” Evans said after the race.
A Race of Chaos and Opportunity
The chaotic race dynamics were fueled by the new Gen3 Evo regulations, which make attack mode more powerful by enabling four-wheel-drive and enhanced acceleration. The combination of strategic attack mode use and red flag interruptions created constant upheaval in the order.
Polesitter Wehrlein initially led before losing the advantage to Nissan’s Oliver Rowland, who appeared poised to dominate until a drive-through penalty for exceeding power limits destroyed his chances. Rowland finished a disheartening 14th in a race he had controlled early on.
Meanwhile, rookie Taylor Barnard and veteran Sam Bird capitalized on attack mode opportunities and energy efficiency to join the fight at the front. Barnard, in a stunning debut performance for McLaren, secured a podium finish behind Evans and da Costa, while Bird came home fourth.
Top 10 Finishers
- Mitch Evans (Jaguar)
- Antonio Felix da Costa (Porsche)
- Taylor Barnard (McLaren)
- Sam Bird (McLaren)
- Edoardo Mortara (Mahindra)
- Norman Nato (Nissan)
- Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Penske)
- Robin Frijns (Envision)
- Jake Hughes (NIO 333)
- Maximilian Guenther (DS Penske)
What’s Next?
The Sao Paulo opener showcased everything that makes Formula E a spectacle: wheel-to-wheel battles, unpredictable strategy, and raw drama. While Evans celebrates an unlikely victory, the field will be eager to regroup and challenge Jaguar in the coming rounds.
As for Wehrlein, his resilience amidst a frightening crash sets the tone for a season that promises to be as thrilling as it is unpredictable. Formula E is back, and it’s already delivering fireworks.