‘We can be so proud of what we have achieved’
ROOKE DENNIS CAME SO CLOSE TO WINNING FORMULA E WORLD TITLE
LEICESTER’S Jake Dennis has spoken of his heartbreak at coming so close to winning the Formula E world championship in his debut season.
The 26-year-old BMW i Andretti Motorsport rookie, below, began the final race of the season in Berlin in third place in the drivers’ standings.
But Dennis quickly suffered a battery failure before the drivers had reached the first corner, locking up into Turn 1 and hitting the wall.
The British driver emerged from his car evidently furious at his bad luck as he threw his race gear to the ground and fell to his knees in disbelief.
With four title contenders failing to finish, an eighth placed finish was enough to secure Dutchman Nyck de Vries the world championship and Mercedes-EQ the team championship.
ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Edoardo Mortara finished second in the drivers’ standings with Dennis having to settle for third.
Immediately after the E-Prix, Dennis said on Twitter: “Honestly, it hurts right now. “We had the chance to become world champion today and for it to be taken away out of our control is a tough one to take.
“We can be so proud of what we’ve achieved this season and this is only the beginning!”
After winning two races in his debut season, Dennis has already been signed up to race the number 27 car for BMW i Andretti Motorsport again next season.
“I’m just super excited, and honoured really, to be staying with Andretti for season eight of Formula E,” said Dennis.
“It was my goal to obviously always stay with the team, and I think they had the same intentions after such a strong year. “I’m looking forward to investing further on with them into the future and hopefully many great results will come our way.” Team principal Roger Griffiths said: “Jake has shown in his rookie season he already has what is necessary to win in Formula E and his knowledge of both the BMW powertrain and associated systems along with the Andretti team operations means that this continued relationship should bode well for success in the coming season.
“Two wins in your rookie season is impressive by anyone’s standards!”
Andretti Formula E head Michael
Andretti said: “As a founding team of Formula E, we’re as committed as ever to the series, and everything it stands for.
“Our participation in Formula E supports our goal of offering exciting racing, in all of its forms, to fans.
“Season eight will look different for us as we return to being an independent team but announcing Jake’s signing will provide strong continuity and is just the first step in building out a new and exciting direction.”