After the festive New Year break, the high-voltage action of Formula E Season 12 is set to roar back to life with Round 2 at the iconic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. The Mexico City E-Prix, scheduled for January 9-10, brings with it a fascinating piece of statistics that might just be a crystal ball for the championship battle.
The Mexico City Prophecy: A Proven Path to the Title
This race carries a powerful omen for title aspirations. Each of the last three winners of the Mexico City E-Prix has gone on to lift the Formula E World Championship trophy in the same season. The drivers who have fulfilled this prophecy are Jake Dennis (Season 9), Pascal Wehrlein (Season 10), and the most recent, Oliver Rowland (Season 11). This striking pattern sets the stage for an intensely competitive weekend, as every driver will be eager to claim what could be a fateful victory.
Kings of the Circuit: Di Grassi and Wehrlein's Dual Dominance
In the history of the Mexico City E-Prix, only two drivers have mastered the circuit twice. Lucas Di Grassi, now with Lola Yamaha ABT, and Pascal Wehrlein of Jaguar TCS Racing, share this distinguished record. Since the race joined the calendar in Season 2, five other drivers have also stood on the top step here.
The inaugural race in 2016 saw a dramatic turn of events. Lucas Di Grassi initially took the checkered flag but was later disqualified, handing the official victory to Jerome d'Ambrosio of Dragon Racing. Di Grassi, however, showcased remarkable resilience. He fought back to win from near the back of the grid in Season 3 for Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler and then repeated his triumph in Season 5.
The ABT team's stronghold at this track was further cemented when Di Grassi's teammate, Daniel Abt, won the Season 4 edition. Jaguar's Mitch Evans broke the streak with a win in Season 6, before Pascal Wehrlein began his own chapter of success.
Current Form Sets Stage for Epic Tenth Edition
Pascal Wehrlein's two Mexico wins came with TAG Heuer Porsche in Season 8 and Season 10, with the latter victory propelling him to the championship. The momentum from Mexico is clearly visible in the current grid. Jake Dennis, who won here in Season 9, has already started Season 12 on a high by winning the opening round in Sao Paulo for Andretti.
Meanwhile, the defending champion, Oliver Rowland, who completed the 'Mexico-to-title' double last season, remains in formidable form. He secured a second-place finish at the Sao Paulo E-Prix, proving his championship defence is serious.
As the series prepares for its tenth Formula E race in Mexico City on January 10, with practice sessions on January 9, all eyes will be on who can seize not just a race win, but potentially a decisive psychological advantage in the long battle for the Season 12 crown.
