In his third season, Avalanche Andretti star Jake Dennis sealed his first ABB FIA Formula E World Champion title on home soil – lifting the crown in front of a packed crowd following his 10th podium in 15 races – securing second behind title rival Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing).

The penultimate round of the 2022/23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Round 15 (29 July) took to the heart of London with the pulsating all-electric single-seater series reaching an exciting crescendo. Four drivers came into the Docklands double-header with a mathematical chance of securing the Season Nine title.

In Qualifying earlier in the day, the top two positions were locked out by two of the four title contenders. Envision Racing driver Nick Cassidy lined-up at the sharp end of the grid ahead of Jake Dennis alongside. Jaguar TCS Racing star Mitch Evans was the fastest on the time sheets in Qualifying, but a five-place grid penalty picked up from the previous round in Rome put the New Zealander down in sixth with the final title protagonist Pascal Wehrlein (Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) in seventh.

As the race went green, Sébastien Buemi, who lined up behind teammate Cassidy rocketed into second place – ready to do his bit as wingman to help his teammate in the championship dogfight. Backing the pack up, this allowed Cassidy to take his Attack Mode but when Cassidy took his second and final Attack Mode, the New Zealander slipped down the order, with Dennis making a move past on lap 11.

Drama was to strike Envision Racing, who are fighting for the Teams Championship, as Buemi and Cassidy collided in a mid-corner dual – damaging Cassidy’s front wing –  forcing him out the race and with it, out of the championship hunt. Fellow countryman Mitch Evans was decisive and clinical as he worked his way up from sixth to fourth in the early stages before snatching the lead shortly after – a position he would hold to the end despite the drama that would unfold.

On lap 29 Sacha Fenestraz lost his Nissan under braking, hurtling towards the barriers. Despite the heavy impact, the Frenchman walked away from the incident, but a Red Flag was deployed with just four laps left on the board. Evans was doing enough to keep the fight going until the final round and Dennis needed a third place or better as he sat in fourth in the pit lane regroup.

After a lengthy lull – the flat-out blast to the finish resumed. Envision driver Buemi had one more Attack Mode to use, and as the Swiss driver swept into the activation zone - Dennis undercut his rival to move into third spot – enough to see him become champion –  as he chased Porsche driver António Félix da Costa and leader Mitch Evans out front – dropping Buemi in the process.

Norman Nato (Nissan Formula E Team) sensed an opportunity to pass Buemi and dived up the inside, but the pair collided into the barriers – causing another Red Flag stoppage. The remaining cars were sent around the track for a two lap contest to the chequered flag. Mitch Evans did all he could to keep his ever decreasing championship flame burning as he crossed the line to take his fourth win of the season whilst world champion-elect Jake Dennis clinched the second place – his 10th podium from 15 races this season. The biggest smile in London came from the British driver as he sealed his first ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in front of his adoring home fans. Buemi despite a race full of drama dragged his bruised machine home in third – enough to keep the Envision Team head above water in the fight for the Teams Championship.

The season will conclude at London’s indoor/outdoor ExCeL Circuit, with the all-important Teams Championship to be decided during the conclusion of the double-header finale in the British capital.

Jake Dennis, No 27, Avalanche Andretti Formula E team, said:

“I am lost for words, honestly. It means so much to me, the boys standing out there, we have had everything thrown at us, honestly it felt like everyone was racing against us - but Jesus Christ we have just become world champion! I am so happy for myself, the team, everyone - we deserve this so much. I only joined this championship three years ago, we almost won in our rookie year but now to come back and have the year that we have had, breaking all the podium records. To become world champion is mind blowing, I really didn't think it could happen coming into this year, but full credit to my boys. I love them so much, they have given me an absolute rocket ship all year, this is the least I could do for them. I could hear the fans as well, it is absolutely incredible to share this moment with them. My mum is out there somewhere, it is incredible for her. World champion - I am just amazed.”

Mitch Evans, No. 9, Jaguar TCS Racing, said:

“I want to take a moment to congratulate Jake on the world championship. It is a hard one for me, I feel for Nick as well, I am not sure what happened with him. Obviously I came here to try and fight for the championship on the second day, we did all we could but unfortunately it wasn't enough. My mind was thinking Rome hurts even more now. It is what it is, Jake deserved that, Nick as well. We did all we could in the end. It was a chaotic race, I was very aggressive when it counted, and it paid off. There were a few stoppages, but I was able to keep my composure and get the job done. For tomorrow everyone is going to make a jump so we have to make a step. Obviously today was the benchmark, but I think it is very tight, the Envisions are very quick, and so are the Andrettis, so obviously it is more a Teams' Championship fight now.”

Sébastien Buemi, No. 16, Envision Racing, said:

“I think we played it very well at the beginning with Nick, obviously trying to make a gap for him to make the attack, but he didn't take it well unfortunately. Then we had that contact, really unfortunate. I couldn't take the attack so I had a six-minute attack for him to take, and clearly that was a big issue for us because we didn't have enough race distance to make sure we would consume the six minutes. In the end the red flag helped us. Happy to salvage a few points, but obviously disappointed because I think today could have been a much better day. No, I was not [told to let Nick Cassidy through]. I was obviously ready to do so, but at that point I was not. I was ready to do so at any point, but there I was not told anything, so clearly we need to review and see what we can improve on tomorrow.”