Formula E - Misano E-Prix round: Pascal Wehrlein takes victory to reclaim championship lead

Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) took victory in Misano and reclaimed the championship lead after Oliver Rowland (Nissan Formula E Team) ran out of energy on the final lap.

Rowland and Wehrlein broke the bunch in the second half of the race before, despite an energy deficit, Rowland upped the pace again on the penultimate lap to gain an advantage and victory looked his for the taking.

However, the Nissan driver miscalculated his resources and ran out of energy on the final lap, meaning Wehrlein inherited the win. "Yesterday could have been better, but I'm very happy with the race today," Wehrlein said post-race. "Quite chaotic again in the beginning until mid-race.

"At the end, I wasn't quite sure if I should stay in the lead or let Ollie [Rowland] through. The pace he did seemed a bit weird and too fast to try to defend, so I didn't defend him hard. I was a bit surprised about his energy, hearing [he was down on energy] and wasn't sure if the team had the correct information or not. But in the end, it proved to be the right thing to do. It was a lot of managing in the end, the energy, the battery, the tyres ... just everything.

"It goes quickly from zero to hero or the other way round, we know that in Formula E. I think we had the pace this weekend to win both races. Unfortunately, yesterday with this kind of race, I was a bit of a victim with my front wing and then being at the back. But today was a big redemption for us. Let's see the checks now, but I'm pretty sure it will be okay."

After a quiet and clean start, the race quickly turned into the expected peloton-style on the wide and flowing Misano track with the order constantly changing throughout the first half of proceedings.

With 10 laps to go, Rowland claimed the lead and pulled the pin. Wehrlein was the only driver able to go with him and a gap opened behind them to Jake Dennis (Andretti Formula E) in third. Dennis himself had some breathing space to Nico Mueller (Abt Cupra Formula E Team) and Nick Cassidy (Jaguar TCS Racing) following in fourth and fifth.

Wehrlein took P1 on Lap 18 and the pace slowed down again, resulting in the gaps closing and a group of five forming at the front. Rowland responded immediately to reclaim the lead and increase the pace again, despite a significant energy deficit to the other front runners.

Once more, only Wehrlein was able to go with him and the decision looked set to go down between the duo. Rowland opted for a risky tactic given his energy deficit and upped the pace again on the penultimate lap, creating a 1.5 seconds gap at the front.

However, late drama struck on the final lap when Rowland rolled out, evidentially having miscalculated his resources and ran out of energy. Wehrlein inherited the position and took his second win of the season.

Behind, Dennis defended what was now runner-up spot furiously and brought second over the line. "It came together in the race," the Andretti driver said.

"Ninth to second is a pretty good day in the office, but it was a struggle. As soon as the pace picked up at the front, I got dropped immediately and fell back into the clutches of both Nicks [Cassidy and Mueller]. It was just survival mode for me today. This weekend has been a real struggle, but to come out with two second places is a good salvage of points.

"[Pascal and I finishing one-two for the fifth time] shows how good the Porsche powertrain is, full credit to these guys for bringing such an efficient powertrain to give us the opportunity to do this. We both scored a lot of points and are sitting pretty towards the top end of the championship.

"Overall, a lot of work to do before Monaco to sort our qualifying pace out and then we can really start this championship."

The battle for third went right down to the wire with Cassidy overtaking Mueller through the final corner to secure the remaining podium spot. "I think we've got to be happy in some ways," the Kiwi said. "It's been a rough few races, so it's nice to be back on the podium.

"[Taking third through the last corner] is kind of a cheery on the cake. Well done to [the Abt Cupra Formula E Team] as well, they're doing a great job. It's so cool to see Nico [Mueller] and the Abt guys doing well and to have such a close finish."

Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan Formula E Team) was fifth from Sergio Sette-Camara (ERT Formula E Team) and Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Penske) in seventh. Pole sitter Jake Hughes (Neom McLaren Formula E Team) took the chequered flag in eighth with the Maserati MSG Racing duo of Maximilian Guenther and Jehan Daruvala completing the top 10.

It's been disaster after disaster in recent races for Cassidy, not necessarily through faults of his own, and bouncing back with a podium finish is excellent redemption for the Porsche driver.

To do it in style with a last-corner overtake is an added bonus for the Kiwi whose championship challenge is back on track, now trailing standings leader Wehrlein by 13 points.

An honourable mention also goes to Mueller who was punching above the weight of his customer Mahindra in the fight for the podium.

1/26: HUGHES DEFENDS LEAD FROM POLE - It's tight, but Hughes hangs on to P1 going into Turn 1. Wehrlein is second and Vergne third.

13/26: HALFWAY THROUGH - At the halfway stage of the race, things are much as expected with a peloton and no one blinking yet.

15/26: ROWLAND IN THE LEAD - Rowland has taken over at the front of the field and looks to be maybe testing the waters a little bit with an increased pace.

18/26: WEHRLEIN TAKES LEAD - Wehrlein takes over in the lead. He has two per cent more energy left compared to Rowland.

21/26: ROWLAND RECLAIMS LEAD - ROWLAND RECLAIMS LEAD - Interesting tactic from Rowland who reclaims the lead and ups the pace again. He has two per cent less energy than his opponents though.

24/26: ROWLAND PULLS THE PIN - Rowland puts some breathing space between himself and Wehrlein.

26/26: ROWLAND ROLLS OUT - Rowland slows down on track, apparently having run out of energy.

26/26: WEHRLEIN WINS IN MISANO - Incredibly, Wehrlein takes the win, having inherited the lead from Rowland who evidentially miscalculated his energy. Dennis defends second while Cassidy takes the final podium position off Mueller through the final turn.

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