by The most dramatic season of the ABB FIAFormula E World Championship to date continues this weekend with a double-header at the 2023 Hankook Rome E-Prix, with both races live on Channel 4.
The all-electric series returns to the Italian capital with one of its most important street races at the Circuit Cittadino dell-EUR. Heading into rounds 13 and 14, Avalanche Andretti’s Jake Dennis leads the World Championship by a lone point, with Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy close behind.
With more wheel-to-wheel action expected, here are all your talking points:
The toughest title race of all time
Formula E’s signature competitiveness can be seen in Season 9 as four drivers remain in the world title hunt with just four races to go.
Dennis and Cassidy lead with 154 and 153 points respectively, while Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche) and Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) are not far behind with 138 and 122 points.
Leading Dennis has been in imperious form in recent weeks and has secured five consecutive podiums. The Briton is becoming familiar with the Formula E podium, having finished in the top three in no less than eight of the 12 races this season.
Jake Dennis leads the standings by just one point
(Gareth Harford / LAT Images)
If Dennis has a strong weekend in Rome, he will have the chance to be crowned the first British winner of Formula E on home soil as the series climaxes in London later this month.
However, Cassidy will try to spoil Dennis’ party and can outshine the Andretti man in the Italian capital. The Kiwi heads to Rome after victory in Portland, his third this season, and will confidently head to the Circuit Cittadino dell-EUR
However, Wehrlein and Evans should not be fired either. The pair have been competitive all season, save for a few unfortunate DNFs, and with enough points left to play for in Season 9, one of the top four could lift the Formula E trophy on July 30.e.
Emperor Mitch the man to beat
No driver has had more success in Rome than Jaguar’s Evans. The Kiwi has three race wins in the Italian capital to his credit, including back-to-back wins in Season 8.
Evans looks forward to returning to Rome and sees it as the perfect location to continue his title fight; “If I could – at this stage of the championship – choose a venue, this is definitely the one I would definitely like to go to.”
He’s also in impressive form, moving up from 20e on the starting grid to finish fourth at Portland – taking home the ABB Driver of Progress Award – last time out. With both historic and recent form on his side, he will be among the favorites to take the checkered flag this weekend.
Race two horses for the team championship
It looks like a two-horse race for the World Team Championship title between TAG Heuer Porsche and Envision Racing. Germany-based TAG Heuer Porsche are at the top, six points ahead of their British rivals.
With Porsche and Envision’s leading drivers, Wehrlein and Cassidy, vying for the driver’s crown, their teammates Antonio Felix da Costa and Sebastien Buemi will likely play supporting roles to try to get their team across the line.
Mitch Evans has won three times in Rome in his Formula E career
(Jaguar Racing via Getty Images)
While it seems likely that either Porsche or Envision will take the crown, it would be remiss to completely ignore Jaguar TCS Racing. The team, which shares a powertrain with Envision, is currently in third place, 41 points behind their counterparts.
Their driver duo Evans and Sam Bird have won 75% of Formula E races in Rome and if history were to repeat itself, their first constructors’ title in the series could be on the horizon.
Maserati looking for home field advantage
Iconic Italian motorsport marque Maserati will be hoping to take home field advantage in the Eternal City this weekend.
Maserati MSG Racing’s Maximilian Guenther and Edoardo Mortara will have support by their side at home as the marque enters a single-seater world championship for the first time since 1957, when Juan Manuel Fangio took the podium at Monza.
With two podium finishes in his last three, Guenther is in good form and will look to replicate his predecessor Fangio with a successful home-grown run for Maserati.
Return to Rome
Rome plays home to a Formula E race for the seventh time this weekend. The 2023 Hankook Rome E-Prix will take place at one of Formula E’s flagship circuits, the Circuito Cittadino dell’EUR,
The 3.385km 19-corner circuit is one of the longest in Formula E history and drivers will race past iconic landmarks including the Palazzo dei Congressi and the Palazzo della Civilta Italiana, known as the “Square Colosseum”.
Thousands of fans are expected for a track that promises a lot of excitement for its mix of fast corners and overtaking opportunities.
Rome plays home to a Formula E race for the seventh time this weekend
(Jaguar Racing via Getty Images)
Jonas Blue and Coma Cose perform
Jonas Blue will headline the 2023 Hankook Rome E-Prix on Saturday for a weekend that promises entertainment both on and off the track.
“I have a huge love for cars and it will be a monumental opportunity to play this event and see the GEN3 cars on the track for the very first time. I think it would be very fitting to play Fast Car in my set for this show!” said the DJ.
The entertainment doesn’t stop there, and on Sunday fans can look forward to a performance by Coma Cose. The Italian indie-pop-hip-hop musical duo heads to Fan Village for the second race of the double-header.
Watch the Hankook Rome E-Prix 2023 on Saturday July 15 and Sunday July 16 live on Channel 4 with broadcasts from 13:30 BST on both days.
