Guenther overtakes Rowland in the last corner of the Jeddah E-Prix

Maximilian Guenther from DS PENSKE claimed victory in the debut of the Jeddah E-Prix after overtaking Oliver Rowland (Nissan) on the final corner. Taylor Barnard from NEOM McLaren completed the podium. The race also marked the introduction of the Pit Boost concept, which required drivers to adjust their strategies with a mandatory stop to recharge 10% of the battery in 30 seconds.

A Well-Planned Strategy

Guenther started from pole and held the lead during the early laps. However, Rowland took control of the race midway, benefiting from an early energy recharge. Guenther, on the other hand, saved his Attack Mode activation for the final laps, allowing him to recover important ground in the closing stages.

The Final Attack in the Last Laps

In the last four laps, Guenther closed the gap to Rowland. Taking advantage of better energy management, he overtook in the final corner when Rowland slowed down to conserve what little he had left. With that move, Guenther crossed the finish line first, securing his first victory since Tokyo 2024.

Mixed Opinions on Pit Boost

The Pit Boost received mixed reactions from the drivers. While Guenther saw it as a step forward for the series, Dan Ticktum from Cupra Kiro expressed concern after missing out on points due to a recharge failure.

Meanwhile, Rowland, now the championship leader, highlighted the strategic potential of the Pit Boost, although he warned that safety cars or yellow flags could affect its effectiveness.

Championship Standings and Next Race

Rowland leads the drivers' championship with 43 points, followed by Antonio Félix da Costa (TAG Heuer Porsche) with 39. In the teams' standings, Porsche holds the top spot with 60 points, three ahead of DS PENSKE.

The next race will also take place in Jeddah, but without the implementation of the Pit Boost, offering a different dynamic to the competition.