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Wehrlein expecting peloton-style race in Sao Paulo
Reigning Formula E champion Pascal Wehrlein has downplayed the importance of qualifying at this weekend’s Sao Paulo E-Prix, suggesting that the race will be another example of the so-called "peloton-style" racing.
With new tires that provide more grip but degrade more, along with the addition of four-wheel-drive for Attack Mode, the complexion of races could change this season, but the TAG Heuer Porsche driver isn’t expecting a huge change in that regard.
“(Qualifying is) not very important,” he said in the pre-race press conference. “It’s a good example here of the peloton style racing, this track is very energy sensitive so qualifying is not very important apart from taking three points if you can.”
Elaborating to RACER, Wehrlein said that Attack Mode – which will give drivers a temporary power boost along with power to all four wheels – will offer something different, but otherwise races will remain familiar as drivers conserve energy for a big final push. Last season’s Sao Paulo winner, Sam Bird, started sixth on the grid and took the lead in the final sequence of corners on the last lap, whereas Wehrlein started from pole but ultimately ended up fourth in the race.
“I think it will be pretty similar,” he said. “I think the dynamic, especially taking the Attack Mode, will be a bit different because now it’s really to attack and overtake. The benefit of Attack Mode and four-wheel drive is quite huge -- that will change the dynamic a bit, but otherwise it’ll be quite similar.
“The four-wheel drive (will be more crucial) because not everyone will have four-wheel drive for the full race. With the tires I think we are all on the same page. If the tire is giving up and starts to fall apart, everyone will struggle with the tires, but with the four-wheel drive, not everyone will have it.”
Dominik Wilde
Dominik often jokes that he was born in the wrong country – a lover of NASCAR and IndyCar, he covered both in a past life as a junior at Autosport in the UK, but he’s spent most of his career to date covering the sliding and flying antics of the U.S.’ interpretation of rallycross. Rather fitting for a man that says he likes “seeing cars do what they’re not supposed to do”, previously worked for a car stunt show, and once even rolled a rally car with Travis Pastrana. He was also comprehensively beaten in a kart race by Sebastien Loeb once, but who hasn’t been?
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