Pascal Wehrlein has defended Porsche’s decision to use team tactics in Saturday’s London E-Prix, a move that helped him convert pole position into a dominant victory and seize the lead in the 2025-26 Formula E championship with just one round remaining.
The German driver’s win at the ExCeL London circuit was his second of the season and came at a crucial moment in the title fight. Starting from pole, Wehrlein controlled the race from the front, but his path to victory was smoothed by the strategic cooperation of his Porsche teammates, who played a supporting role to ensure the 31-year-old maximized his points haul.
After the race, Wehrlein was quick to address the team orders, insisting that such tactics are a normal part of motorsport and that every team uses them when the situation demands. “It’s part of the sport,” he said. “We are a team, and we work together to achieve the best possible result. Today, the plan was to help me, and it worked perfectly.”
The victory, combined with a difficult day for his main title rival, catapulted Wehrlein from third to first in the drivers’ standings. With only the season finale in London remaining, the Porsche driver now holds a slender but significant advantage, putting him in the driving seat for his second Formula E title.
Wehrlein’s performance was arguably the most commanding of the season. He led every lap, set the fastest lap, and never looked threatened. But the margin of victory was not solely down to his own pace; the team’s tactical deployment of its other cars ensured that no rival could mount a serious challenge.
Critics have often questioned the use of team orders in motorsport, but Wehrlein believes that in a championship as competitive as Formula E, such collaboration is essential. “Every point matters,” he explained. “We are fighting for the biggest prize in the sport, and we have to use every tool at our disposal. I have full respect for my teammates, and they know that if the situation were reversed, I would do the same for them.”
The London E-Prix has traditionally been a season highlight, and this year’s edition did not disappoint. The tight and technical indoor-outdoor circuit at the ExCeL Centre always produces unpredictable racing, and Saturday’s event was no exception. Wehrlein’s pole lap was a masterclass in precision, and his race pace was equally impressive.
The championship battle has been one of the most closely contested in recent memory. Multiple drivers have led the standings at various points, and the title will be decided in the final race of the season on Sunday. Wehrlein’s rivals will be desperate to overturn the deficit, but the Porsche driver remains confident.
“We have a good car, a great team, and I am feeling strong,” Wehrlein said. “But we cannot afford to relax. The championship is far from over, and we need to approach the final race with the same focus and determination that we have shown all season.”
The team’s tactics have been a talking point in the paddock, with some questioning whether such moves undermine the spirit of competition. However, Wehrlein was adamant that the decision was made with the team’s interests at heart, and that the ultimate goal is to win the teams’ championship as well as the drivers’ title.
“We are a factory team, and we have a responsibility to our partners and fans to deliver results,” he added. “Winning the championship is the best way to repay their support.”
As the Formula E circus prepares for the season finale, the spotlight will be firmly on Wehrlein and his Porsche team. With a healthy lead and the momentum of a dominant win behind him, the German is the clear favourite to take the title. But as he himself acknowledged, nothing is certain in motorsport, and the final race promises to be a fitting climax to what has been a thrilling season.
For now, Wehrlein can savour the moment. He has answered his critics in the best possible way, and his performance in London has silenced any doubters. Whether he can finish the job remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Pascal Wehrlein is a worthy championship leader, and he will not give up his position without a fight.
