In this article
From Junior Open-Wheel Success to Formula E
Pascal Wehrlein built his early circuit reputation in touring cars and grand prix racing. After becoming the youngest driver to secure the DTM championship, he entered Formula 1 with Manor Racing in 2016 and drove for Sauber in 2017. Following a brief DTM return in 2018, the German-Mauritian driver joined Mahindra Racing at the 2018/19 Valencia pre-season test, commencing an eight-year career spanning three car generations.
He earned his first electric podium at the 2019 Santiago E-Prix.
Mahindra Stint and Early Energy Heartbreak
Wehrlein took his maiden pole position at the 2019 Mexico City E-Prix and led most of the distance before nearly forty thousand spectators. Oliver Rowland and Lucas di Grassi maintained sustained pressure from behind. Exiting the final turn on the final lap, Wehrlein depleted his usable energy, enabling di Grassi to pass right before the timing line.
Wehrlein finished his rookie season with 58 points, trailing teammate Jerome d'Ambrosio by nine points, before recording an eighteenth-place championship finish the following year.
Porsche Debut and Mexican Redemption
Joining TAG Heuer Porsche for 2020/21 brought technical setbacks. At the 2021 Puebla E-Prix, technical infringements stripped Wehrlein of a potential maiden win from pole, while improper FANBOOST usage the next day dropped him from second to fourth. Redemption arrived at the 2022 Mexico City E-Prix. Starting on pole, Wehrlein conceded track position to Edoardo Mortara and Jean-Eric Vergne to manage energy efficiency.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Wehrlein and teammate Andre Lotterer surged forward, securing a historic one-two finish and Porsche's first series victory.
Related posts
GEN3 Breakthrough and Diriyah Double
The GEN3 regulatory era established Wehrlein as an elite frontrunner. After finishing second in Mexico behind Jake Dennis, Wehrlein contested the Diriyah double-header in Saudi Arabia. Starting ninth in the opener, he navigated opening corner scuffles and climbed into the top six. Wehrlein deployed ATTACK MODE power strategically while preserving critical battery reserves.
On lap 30, he executed an overtaking move on Jaguar driver Sam Bird at turn 16 and successfully defended against Dennis to claim victory.
Twenty-four hours later, Wehrlein started fifth on the Diriyah grid with Dennis starting sixth. He demonstrated calculating patience as leading competitors cycled through mandatory ATTACK MODE power stages. When the pack reshuffled, Wehrlein seized the lead and resisted relentless pressure from Dennis through the final laps. That second consecutive triumph elevated him to the summit of the Drivers' Championship.
Despite that commanding early form, Wehrlein concluded the campaign fourth overall on 149 points, collecting two additional race wins.
The 2023/24 Championship Duel
Wehrlein mounted his strongest title assault during the 2023/24 season, scoring victories in Mexico and Misano. The fight reached the London finale double-header. Starting third in race one behind pole-sitter Mitch Evans, Wehrlein passed Sebastien Buemi after sixteen laps before overtaking Evans using ATTACK MODE. That third seasonal victory gave him a narrow three-point cushion over Evans.
In the final round, Nick Cassidy started on pole, with Evans third and Wehrlein fourth, creating a winner-take-all scenario between the contenders.
Early drama reshuffled the deciding London contest on lap 11. Contact involving Cassidy and Antonio Felix da Costa eliminated Cassidy from genuine contention, narrowing the championship fight to Evans and Wehrlein. Wehrlein tracked Evans closely before advancing to cross the line in second place behind Oliver Rowland. Evans took third. That runner-up finish yielded 198 points, clinching Wehrlein's maiden Drivers' World Championship by a six-point margin over the Jaguar driver.
Second Crown and London Finale Drama
The 2025/26 London finale staged another tense showdown, with Wehrlein arriving five points behind Dennis and three points behind Evans in a nine-driver championship fight. The 31-year-old won the penultimate race from pole position, finishing five seconds clear of Dennis. For the finale, Wehrlein qualified third, Evans fifth, and Dennis sixteenth. Evans required a race victory alongside a non-scoring finish from Wehrlein to overturn the deficit and capture his elusive drivers' crown.
Wehrlein dropped outside the top five during the race, eventually sliding to eleventh while Evans climbed to fourth past teammate da Costa. With two laps left, contact between Dennis and Wehrlein compromised both cars, though each rejoined. Evans crossed the line fourth, which fell short of overcoming Wehrlein's points advantage.
Wehrlein sealed his second Drivers' World Championship, having accumulated 11 victories, 24 podiums, and 883 laps led across his electric career, while Porsche claimed the Manufacturers' Title.
Related technical guide: 2026 F1 Power Unit: How Its Energy Systems Work.
Sources: Heartbreak to history: Pascal Wehrlein’s Formula E journey – ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.