The inaugural Formula E race in Jeddah caused quite a stir, notable for the introduction of Pit Boost, the rise of a British sensation, and a dramatic shift in the championship standings. Our team at Motorsport Week was on the ground in Saudi Arabia to capture all the highlights and whispers from the paddock.
The perception of Dan Ticktum is often marred by his previous outbursts during his F1 feeder series days and the reputation he has garnered as a “bad boy”. The young British driver’s frustration was evident during Race 1 in Jeddah, when he was informed that his car required a system reset in addition to a battery recharge during the Pit Boost phase of the race. Despite the flurry of expletives that followed, Ticktum clarified his frustration was not aimed at his team, but rather the situation at hand. He continues to demonstrate professionalism and openness during his interactions with Motorsport Week.
Ticktum, a member of the Cupra Kiro team, expressed his anticipation for the upcoming races, despite feeling the pressure from his new investors. He is confident in delivering top-notch performance under any circumstances and expressed his eagerness for more frequent race weekends.
The Jeddah event also saw an increase in female representation. Jamie Chadwick took the helm of the Jaguar in the rookie test, with Tatiana Calderon joining her, representing the Lola-Yamaha-ABT outfit. Calderon remains optimistic about the possibility of a full-time female driver in Formula E in the near future.
Taylor Barnard, racing for NEOM McLaren, continued to astonish spectators and himself with his performance. After securing his second third-place finish of the season, Barnard became Formula E’s youngest-ever pole-sitter, demonstrating the formidable potential of the Nissan powertrain.
Despite a rocky start to Season 11, Nick Cassidy finally scored some points in Race 2, maneuvering his way through the pack in a comparatively underperforming Jaguar to claim fifth place. Cassidy remains committed to improving the performance of his car and scoring more points.
Jake Hughes, who claimed third place in Race 2, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the Stellantis powertrain. He acknowledged the potential for further improvement and is excited about the prospect of fighting for wins and pole positions.
Maximilian Guenther, the first winner of a Pit Boost-influenced race, predicts that the new regulation could introduce strategic challenges for teams, particularly in tracks where overtaking is more difficult.
The Jeddah debut of Formula E was a thrilling spectacle, with the Pit Boost adding a new dimension to the race, a promising British star making his mark, and a significant shake-up in the championship standings. The coming races promise to be just as exciting, with teams and drivers continuously adapting and strategizing to optimize their performances.