London E-Prix Preview: Season finale to crown Formula E world champion

After 14 races, Formula E enters this weekend’s season finale double-header in London with seven drivers still in title contention, and all three titles on the line. 

The London E-Prix is set to be a thriller once again, with it closing the curtain on the 10th season of the all-electric series. It has been one of the sport’s most competitive to-date, as highlighted by all three championships going down to the wire. 

Both races are, according to CEO Jeff Dodds, sold-out, meaning an incredible atmosphere awaits the title contenders in the unique ExCeL Centre. 

It will be a weekend full of emotion in the British capital, which will likely end in a new Formula E world champion.

Three titles to be decided

To paint the title fight picture, seven drivers are still mathematically in title contention; however, it is arguably between three. Nick Cassidy leads the championship but is just 12 points ahead of team-mate Mitch Evans and Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein. 

Antonio Felix da Costa’s red-hot form has made him a title outsider, with the Season 6 champion sitting in fourth and 33 points behind Cassidy. Nissan’s Oliver Rowland who missed the last two races in Portland through illness is 36 points adrift but still in contention. 

Two-time champion Jean-Eric Vergne and reigning world champion Jake Dennis are sixth and seventh in the standings, but require more than a miracle. If Cassidy wins on Saturday, then only Evans and Wehrlein will be left in the fight, depending on where they finish. 

There is also the small matter of the teams’ championship, which is a straight duel between the factory Jaguar and factory Porsche outfits. Jaguar lead Porsche by 33 points but need to be 47 points ahead at the end of Saturday to avoid the title going to the final race.

And finally, the all-new for Season 10 manufacturers’ title is also going to be decided this weekend, with Porsche currently leading the way ahead of Jaguar. Jaguar are just 19 points behind. 

Realistically, at least the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships will be decided in the final race of the season on Sunday.

Check out the full championship standings by clicking here!

Track layout

As has been the case the last three years, the London E-Prix takes place in the ExCeL Centre. It is one of the most unique circuits in the world, with parts of the track being inside the exhibition centre. 

Due to recent construction work, more of the circuit is under cover than ever before. It is an incredibly tight circuit and will offer a completely different style of racing compared to what has recently been seen in Berlin, Shanghai and Portland. 

The peloton will not be in effect, with London perhaps being the most important place on the calendar to start near the front. As a result, qualifying is extremely intense. 

Coming in at 2.09 km, the ExCeL Centre track consists of 20 corners, with Turns 10 and 16 often catching several drivers out.

What happened last year?

The London E-Prix hosted the season finale last year and offered two unbelievable races. Dennis secured the world title in the first race after Cassidy was hit by team-mate at the time Sebastian Buemi, ending his championship chances. 

Evans secured victory but Dennis finishing on the podium also ended the Jaguar driver’s title chances. 

It was a frenetic race which featured two red flags: the first was due to a big crash for Sacha Fenestraz at Turn 16, whilst the other was in the latter stages due to a bizarre 14-car pile-up at the penultimate corner.

The final race of last season was just as crazy, with it having initially been delayed due to a heavy rain shower. An attempt was made to start the race, although it was red flagged after five laps as the conditions had worsened. 

Following a delay, another attempt was made to start the race, only for a second red flag to be flown as it was still too treacherous. When the race did eventually get underway, Cassidy secured victory which crowned Envision as the teams’ champion. 

Favourites for victory

As proven by the past, absolutely anything can happen in London! Rain is not expected to be a concern, although there is a chance of qualifying for Sunday’s race being wet. 

Nevertheless, Cassidy is a key favourite to claim a race win this weekend. If he were to win Saturday’s race, then that could almost guarantee him a first world title. 

However, Cassidy’s team-mate Evans is often very strong in London and has been in the title fight come the final round in the last four seasons. Evans has come close to the crown on so many occasions, it would come as no shock to see him fighting for victory in both races. 

Both Wehrlein and da Costa also have to be included in the ‘favourites for victory’ section, as Porsche’s qualifying performances have been impressive this year. 

Wehrlein in particular has dazzled over one-lap, whilst da Costa has won four of the last five races. For da Costa to win a second Formula E title, he in many ways must win on Saturday for a realistic chance on Sunday.

Dark horses

It should come as no surprise that the top four in the drivers’ championship are the favourites for victory, with Jaguar and Porsche having led by example this campaign. 

The returning Rowland has a great chance of winning either race in London, as he too as been strong in qualifying this season. 

Rowland, like da Costa, must win on Saturday to have any hope of remaining in the title fight on Sunday. A question for the Briton is how fit he will be?

Being London, it is also impossible to rule out Dennis. The Andretti star needs to win both races realistically and hope for serious errors from the championship favourites, to defend his title. It is unlikely this will happen, but his best hope is to be towards the front.

McLaren in general are another team to watch, as Jake Hughes and Sam Bird have both been quick at times this season with its Nissan package.