Dennis claims podium spot as Formula E hits Tokyo for the first time
JAKE Dennis secured a place on the podium as Formula E staged its first ever race in Tokyo.
In his second-best starting position of Season 10 (Diriyah, P3), former Bosworth Academy student Dennis clocked the quickest start of the field, accelerating from 0-100kph off the line in just 3.39 seconds and moving into the top four in the opening laps of the race. Dennis held onto fourth for the majority of the 33-lap race until a late-race overtake attempt by TAG Heuer Porsche’s António Félix Da Costa on Nissan’s Oliver Rowland in Turn 15 allowed the Brit to move up another spot to secure his second podium finish of the season in third.
Maximilian Guenther secured victory for Maserati MSG Racing in the first Tokyo E-Prix, overcoming Oliver Rowland’s early lead to take the chequered flag, but third place for Dennis kept him handily placed in the championship table as he bids to defend his title.
Afterwards Dennis (Andretti Formula E) said: “It’s been a bit of a struggle these past couple of months for me, there’s been some changes inside the car that really haven’t suited me.
“We’ve generally struggled this year so far, some days were good some days were bad and this weekend was probably the first time I felt ‘at one’ with the car.
Fifth today for me felt like pole. I didn’t think I would qualify that high up, but in the race we’re always quick.
“It was a really good day today coming home with third in the first-ever Tokyo E-Prix. It’s a special day for the team and a special day for myself. We can all be proud of the result.
“The focus now changes to Misano which kicks off the European leg of the season where hopefully we can continue with this momentum behind us.”
Pascal Wehrlein is two points clear of Nick Cassidy in the Drivers’ Championship table, with Oliver Rowland in third and Dennis in fourth 10 points behind Wehrlein.
• The next race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the 2024 Misano E-Prix doubleheader on April 13-14.