The fourth race of the season, the first poleposition for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. So far so good after the Qualifying and the Superpole in Mexico City.
As soon as the light high above the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez turned off and therefore opened the race in Mexico City, the top of the field immediately started to crowd: From behind, the pursuers put pressure on André Lotterer. And it was a close call: There was jostling and a battle for every single metre. Even though he had to sacrifice 2 positions at this point, André Lotterer withstood the pressure of these moments and could maintain contact with the top position throughout the first rounds of the race.
Tight curves and a lot of race cars in the field – that’s what defines Formula E. Just how dense some races of the season can get was proven today in Mexico. Though he could parry the attacks of the other drivers in the first few minutes of the race, he had to submit after coming in contact with the boundary. The contact damaged his Porsche 99X Electric too much. He still managed to bring the vehicle to the pit. That’s where the team exchanged the nose of the vehicle, but the hopes were not high after these unfortunate incidents. André Lotterer had to end the race in Mexico City prematurely.
Team colleague Neel Jani had a similar experience – he too was battling the consequences of adverse situations: A time penalty caused him difficulties throughout the fourth race of the season. Against all odds, Neel Jani could still finish the race.
It was a race day full of ups and downs in Mexico: First the celebration of the poleposition, then the disappointment of this unfavourable race. The first season for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team brings further challenges in each race to the entire team. Despite all the athletic disappointment, one thing remains clear: Against the lack of luck and all the challenges, the team stood together in Mexico, worked hand-in-hand and will come back as one. The disappointment is real. But in the following days it will step aside for the desire to prove what the team can do. The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will return, motivated and strengthened, to the fifth race of the season. The poleposition in Mexico did not come for free. Unfortunately, this time, the bad luck came along with it.