Pascal Wehrlein wins Shanghai ePrix after dominant display, as Mitch Evans and Oliver Rowland lose ground in championship race

Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) won from pole as he overcame the wet track conditions to pull back into the championship race at the Shanghai ePrix.

The race start time was brought forward in a bid to avoid the forecasted rain in Shanghai.

However, with rain clouds circulating drivers were keen to keep track position, to avoid the spray from their opponents.

After winning qualification Wehrlein spent all the race in the leading pack and then used his race boost to pull out a winning margin in the final laps.

Antonio Felix da Costa (Jaguar TCS Racing) converted his third place in qualification to second in the race.

Meanwhile, Jake Dennis (Adretti) boosted his overall points tally with a third placed finish.

Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) saw his championship lead reduced to just three points following an eighth placed finish, while fellow contender Oliver Rowland (Nissan) was pointless in 14th.

With five races remaining Wehrlein is now just three points behind Evans in the overall standings. Another wet race is expected in Shanghai tomorrow for Round 13 with lights out at 05:05 BST.

Jake Dennis said that it was a great day for his Andretti team after placing third in Shanghai and one position ahead of team-mate Felipe Drugovich.

He said: ”Great points (in the championship).

”I didn't know how to feel about the rain. It made it a little bit more difficult, but ultimately third and fourth for the team, a great result for Felipe (Drugovich) as well.

”So it’s all coming in together, back in the title race. It felt relatively good out there, some work to do for tomorrow, but overall, not too bad.”

Antonio Felix da Costa was pleased with his second placed finish at the Shanghai ePrix.

He said: ”That was a solid day in the office.

”We good qualification in the top five and fighting for a win there.

”When the rain came we didn't quite have enough. It was a big question mark before this race.

”Are we setting up the car for the wet or for the dry? We knew there was some rain that was going to come. We kind of went halfway there.

”I'm not sure what the others did. We looked okay in the wet, but the energy advantage we built against (Pascal) Wehrlein, we were not able to use it in the wet.

”Everything kind of just goes flat out and they had a bit more pace.”

Following his victory Pascal Wehrlein told TNT Sports: ”It was a fantastic race. Obviously a crucial part of the season.

”I couldn't be happier about today. It was flawless. The car was amazing and we didn't do any mistakes.

”The execution was perfectly and it was just enjoyable. I did my pace, I did my race and I didn't try to be too much in the slipstream and get into the chaos behind.

”We were super-efficient and that was amazing. Five more (races) to go and we give it all (in the championship).”

Pascal Wehrlein takes a dominant victory from pole in Shanghai. The German has been faultless as he celebrates victory ahead of Da Costa in second and Dennis third.

The championship is set to become even tighter today as Erikson passes Evans for seventh position. Meanwhile, Rowland has had a nightmare and slips down to 13th.

The race will be 30 laps after that safety car earlier in the race. Wehrlein will be confident of taking victory.

Meanwhile, championship contenders Evans is in seventh position and Rowland in 11th.

Da Costa, Dennis and Mortara are exchanging positions into each corner as they fight for the podium spots.

Wehrlein has checked out and has a two-second lead. Mortara is under investigation after a coming together with Vergne.

The German driver has the front and has taken attack mode. There is spray all over the track and little visibility. Most drivers have also taken attack mode.

We will have some added laps. However, racing is back underway with a very wet tack and little visibility.

The heavy rain which was forecast has now arrived and a precautionary safety car is deployed. It seems a strange one. Cassidy, Ticktum, Marti and Mortara will be furious as they had just deployed attack mode.

That will hinder their hopes of winning this afternoon.

A ‘punchy’ out lap is the call from Dennis’ garage following his pit boost. Wehrlein is the pit boost leader and has a healthy advantage over Dennis.

Rookie Marti is the track leader and one of four drivers to take a late pit.

The rain is unpredictable and so the pit boost window could be pivotal in this race. Dennis is now track leader as Wehrlein takes his pit boost window.

The pit boost window is now open. Buemi is one of the front pack who chances on an early pit boost.

The leaders remain out for now.

Drivers are fighting for the lead as the rain starts again. Da Costa is also keen to lead this tight pack of challengers.

Gunther is the one driver who has been struggling for energy more than most.

The championship leader has been reported for moving on the brakes but won’t be investigated. However, he will be feeling the pressure as Oliver Rowland pushes him down to sixth place.

The German driver takes the lead again and has the message to use energy in return for track position.

Dennis and Da Costa will also be satisfied with their positions in second and third respectively.

Championship contenders Mitch Evans and Oliver Rowland are also handily placed in fifth and seventh respectively.

The Penske driver was in the middle of the pack when he picked up a puncture after a slight contact with Buemi.

That will be the end of Barnard’s challenge.

Drivers are going three-a-breast into corners as this race has exploded into life. Everybody is being respectful but the team messages are that leading would be useful as the rain falls.

Dennis has taken the lead from Wehrlein and Gunther.

Pascal Wehrlein has defended his pole position on the opening lap and is being closely followed by Jake Dennis as the rain starts to fall.

Drivers are battling for track position in a bid to get some clear air before the rain starts.