Debuting in a new team with three podiums, including a victory, goes beyond the most optimistic expectations; but that’s what Nick Cassidy managed to do in Race 2 in Diriyah.
This is his first victory of the tenth season in Diriyah, just to celebrate his 50th Formula E race.
Cassidy started in third and maintained pace with leaders Robin Frijns (Envision Racing) and Oliver Rowland (Nissan Formula E Team), who started from the Pole Position. Cassidy’s tactical approach paid off as he navigated through the first round of Attack Mode activations, seizing the lead.
Once in front, Cassidy managed a 2.5-second lead, executing his second mandatory 50kW Attack Mode boost with precision. Despite the relentless pursuit by Frijns and Rowland, who trailed less than a second behind in the race’s final stages, Cassidy maintained his lead, crossing the finish line with confidence.
Frijns’s second-place finish marked a return to the podium after a hiatus since his last appearance in New York City two seasons ago. Rowland, completing the podium in third, achieved his first top-three finish since Seoul in Season 8.
Notably, Jake Hughes of NEOM McLaren secured a career-best fourth place, mirroring his teammate’s result from Round 2 at the same venue. Stoffel Vandoorne of DS Penske finished fifth, continuing his consistent performance in Diriyah.
The race saw notable efforts from Sacha Fenestraz of Nissan, Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche, and double champion Jean-Éric Vergne of DS Penske, with Wehrlein extending his scoring streak to an unmatched 14 races. Reigning champion Jake Dennis of Andretti finished in a frustrating tenth-place, but was subsequently relegated out of the points after a five-second penalty from overtaking during a yellow flag.
Cassidy’s victory propels him to an 18-point lead in the Drivers’ World Championship, with Jaguar TCS Racing securing a significant lead in the Teams’ standings. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship moves next to Sao Paulo for Round 4 on 16th March.
Earlier on model, fashion designer and photographer Helena Christensen enjoyed a unique Formula E experience, rubbing shoulders with reigning world champion Jake Dennis and Team Principal of Jaguar TCS Racing, James Barclay, before taking a spin around the track at eye-watering speeds in the Porsche Taycan Safety car.
Nick Cassidy, No. 37, Jaguar TCS Racing, said:
This is awesome I mean it’s such a dream. I’ve got an amazing car and I’m so privileged but this here… I mean – I want it that way.
Every win is special, it’s just been a dream start. I’m waiting for a bad day, it’s gonna come but for now we ride, we ride.
I took advantage at the start – I initially thought I went too hard at the start – but, you know, Jaguar TCS Racing gave me an amazing car and I’m super lucky.
Robin Frijns, No. 4, Envision Racing, said:
I had a bit of trouble at the beginning of the season and had to get to know the car. Obviously, Nick has been driving the whole of last year with this car. There are still some steps to be made, but I will get there.
I thought today was really good. I was leading at first, so I felt nice and comfortable. But then began fighting with Nick the whole way – we were pulling away constantly, and almost killing each other at times. But Nick did a very good job. I secured good points too. I’ll take another step forward for the next phase.
Oliver Rowland, No. 22, Nissan Formula E Team, said:
I think yesterday was a bit disappointing for us, but today we regrouped and we did an excellent job this morning, we were able to get the pole. I am slightly disappointed coming third. You know, the start of the day was a lot of wheel spinning, but we had our chance to control the race if we wanted to win. We didn’t manage to do that, but still a great result for the team. Lots of points. And we’ll take this confidence into the next one.
I can absolutely build on this momentum going into Sao Paulo, I came back to Nissan with the target of winning. We know it’s a long road, but we’ll keep pushing and I think the first step was made today, and the potential we’ve seen over the first two races has been very good. I’m happy.
Below you can read and/or download the Final Classification of Race 2, the positions of the drivers’ championship and those of the teams’ championship. (PDF)
051_Doc 51 – Final Classification Race
Doc 52 – Drivers Championship Points after R3
053_Doc 53 – Teams Championship Points after R3
#MarceloPadin #theEMNteam
Source: Formula E
Photo: Courtesy Formula E
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