Formula E, Sportrik Media - Pascal Wehrlein admitted he initially feared he would not finish the Formula E Madrid 2026 race after being hit by Nyck de Vries in the early stages.
The incident occurred on lap two at Turn 10, when De Vries collided with the rear of Wehrlein’s Porsche while the German was running in second position. The impact destroyed De Vries’ front wing and resulted in a five-second time penalty, effectively ending his chances of scoring significant points.
Wehrlein, meanwhile, suffered extensive rear-end damage, including aerodynamic loss and a cut in his rear tyre. Despite the severity of the impact, he managed to avoid a puncture and continued the race under compromised conditions.
“Honestly, with the hit I got, I didn’t expect to continue the race,” Wehrlein told RacingNews365.
He explained that after navigating the initial corners post-contact, it became clear that the car’s balance and performance were heavily affected. This forced him into a defensive race strategy focused on tyre management and damage limitation.
“Once I did a couple of corners, I didn’t expect to have the balance and the pace anymore with the damage we had. So I knew from then on it was going to be difficult,” he added.
The damage to the rear of the car significantly reduced grip, particularly in the closing stages of the race. Wehrlein struggled to keep up with the leading group and at one point accepted that fourth place would be the likely outcome.
However, the situation shifted on the final lap when Dan Ticktum made a move at the last chicane that opened an opportunity. Wehrlein capitalised, overtaking on the run to the finish line to secure third place.
The result not only delivered a podium but also extended his lead in the championship standings to 11 points. Given the extent of the damage sustained, Wehrlein described it as one of the most satisfying podiums of his career.
“I knew I wasn’t in the fight for the win anymore, but I tried to stay close because there might be an opportunity—and that’s exactly what happened,” he said.
He also noted that energy limitations in the final laps added further complexity, but consistent driving and positioning allowed him to take advantage of the late-race situation.
“This is one of the happiest podiums I’ve had so far in my career, because honestly, with the hit I got, I thought we wouldn’t score any points,” Wehrlein concluded.
The Madrid E-Prix result reinforces Wehrlein’s position in the 2026 Formula E title battle, highlighting how race incidents, energy management, and opportunistic execution continue to define outcomes in the all-electric championship heading into the next round.
Baca Juga
Pascal Wehrlein hampir gagal finis di Formula E Madrid 2026 setelah ditabrak Nyck de Vries, namun tetap meraih podium dramatis.
Joshua Dürksen akan menjalani debut Formula E pada rookie test Madrid bersama Citroën setelah kemenangan Sprint Race F2 2026.
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