Jeddah Jolt: Thrills and Spills in Formula E's Desert Duel - S11 R3 and R4
The Formula E caravan rolled into Jeddah for the first time, and what a debut it was! Under the Saudi Arabian stars, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit became the stage for two electrifying races that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Race 3: Günther's Grit and the PIT BOOST Twist
Friday night saw DS PENSKE's Maximilian Günther clinch a hard-fought victory. Starting from pole, Günther's race was anything but straightforward. The introduction of the mandatory PIT BOOST—a 30-second stop delivering a 10% battery charge at 600kW—added a strategic layer that shuffled the pack. Despite dropping to eighth after his PIT BOOST, Günther showcased resilience, carving his way back to snatch the lead from Nissan's Oliver Rowland just before the final chicane. This win ended a 17-race streak without a pole-to-win finish.
Race 4: British Brilliance and Rowland's Redemption
Saturday night belonged to the Brits. Nissan's Oliver Rowland, determined after Friday's near miss, dominated the race, crossing the finish line with a comfortable margin. NEOM McLaren's rookie sensation, Taylor Barnard, continued to impress, securing second place and marking his second podium in just four races. Maserati MSG Racing's Jake Hughes rounded out the podium, making it a British 1-2-3. Notably, former world champion Jake Dennis charged from 19th to finish fourth, completing a historic top-four lockout for British drivers.
Championship Standings Update
Following the thrilling double-header in Jeddah, the championship standings have seen significant shifts. Nissan's Oliver Rowland has surged to the top of the Drivers' Championship with 68 points, holding a 17-point lead over McLaren's rookie sensation Taylor Barnard. António Félix da Costa of Porsche has slipped to third place, 29 points behind Rowland.
Drivers' Championship Standings:
Oliver Rowland (Nissan) – 68 points
Taylor Barnard (McLaren) – 51 points
António Félix da Costa (Porsche) – 39 points
Maximilian Günther (DS Penske) – 37 points
Jake Hughes (Maserati) – 27 points
Teams' Championship Standings:
Nissan – 68 points
McLaren – 67 points
Porsche – 58 points
DS Penske – 63 points
Maserati – 43 points
Looking Ahead: Miami Awaits
With momentum on their side, the teams now set their sights on the vibrant streets of Miami for the next race on April 12th. If Jeddah's drama is any indication, fans are in for another exhilarating chapter in the Formula E saga.
For a visual recap of the Jeddah E-Prix highlights, check out the official Formula E videos below:
