For the 7th round of the 2021 Formula E World Championship, we headed to Puebla in Mexico, about 200km away from the capital of Mexico City to the Autodromo Miguel E. Abad.
Written by Olly Radley, edited by Janvi Unni
It was Pascal Wehrlein who took pole for the first of two races, having made it to Superpole from Group 2 and setting the fastest time in the final qualifying session. Audi’s René Rast lined up in 2nd with the BMWs making up the 2nd row.
As the lights went out, Wehrlein was off the line well but Rast got bogged down from 2nd dropping right down the order, as the BMWs made into 2nd and 3rd. As we came through Turn 8 on the first lap, Nick Cassidy outbroke himself, ending his race in the wall.
The race leader Pascal Wehrlein was first to take the attack mode and dropped to 3rd, after which Gunther inherited the lead. Once Gunther and his teammate, Dennis, both took attack mode, Wehrlein came back out into the lead. With 30 minutes left, Wehrlein took his last attack mode, a very aggressive move from Porsche and importantly retained the lead. So once everyone took their attack mode, Wehrlein would be leading.
In the meantime, we had 2 retirees as Vergne and Bird were both clipped as they rejoined from attack mode by the Mahindra drivers, as well as the championship leader wiping out Nyck De Vries into T1.
With 10 minutes to go, the FIA opened an investigation into Pascal Wehrlein for a technical infraction and usually if they investigate it, it is penalised. Upon hearing about the investigation, I thought it would be terribly cruel to punish Wehrlein, as he had driven a flawless race up to this point.
Gunther slid down the order in the closing minutes as the podium across the line was Rast 3rd; Di Grassi 2nd; and Wehrlein 1st. On the warmdown lap, the FIA had made the decision to disqualify Wehrlein after their investigation, giving the win and crucial 25 points to Lucas di Grassi.
We were back again for another race in Puebla on Sunday, where we got yet more action.
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