Jake Dennis dominated the second 2023 Rome E-Prix after a dramatic collision between title protagonists Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy during Round 14 of the 2023 Formula E World Championship.
Dennis started from pole position and led the whole race from Norman Nato and Sam Bird, a rare feat in Formula E. It puts the Andretti driver 24 points ahead of Cassidy in the championship heading into the final two races in London on July 29-30.
“I’m honestly lost for words how we won the race,” said Dennis. “It was so tactical in the cockpit, trying to keep Bird within a certain distance because he was obviously going to help Mitch.
“I really needed Norman as my wingman that race. We worked together really well. I gave him space to help him defend when Bird had attack mode.
“When I needed to save I just did that. What a race, what a team. For them to give me this incredible car, after yesterday’s mistake, we turned it around and got redemption.”
Evans and Cassidy collide
The key moment of the race came on Lap 2 when Cassidy went to the outside of Dennis at Turn 7 in the battle for the lead, only to get hit by compatriot Evans, who locked his rear brakes and dramatically went over the top of the Envision driver.
Both drivers continued but Evans was forced to pit and came back out for two laps, before retiring from the race. Meanwhile, Cassidy dropped to the back of the field and got himself back in the top 10, however, he dropped away towards the end of the race and finished 14th.
Evans is 44 points behind Dennis in the championship, with Pascal Wehrlein‘s fourth place putting him a further five points adrift.
Bird unable to stop Dennis
After the collision, the fight for victory came down to Dennis, Norman Nato and Sam Bird. Bird was hoping to help teammate Evans by taking the win but couldn’t find a way by Dennis.
Bird was the last of the leading drivers to take his second attack mode, so dropped to third behind Nato. He had more energy than the drivers ahead of him, however, struggled to make a move and had to settle for the final step of the podium.
Edoardo Mortara took his best result of the season with fourth, ahead of Sebastien Buemi and Maximilian Gunther.
