Pascal Wehrlein has claimed that he was left with floor damage in the final stages of the Berlin E-Prix from debris left on the track.
TAG Heuer Porsche driver Pascal Wehrlein claimed he was left struggling at the end of the race after taking floor damage from debris in the first race at the Berlin E-Prix.
Following Deruvala’s crash in the closing stages of the race, debris was left on track with race control deciding not to bring out either a full course yellow or safety car in the last laps.
With six laps already added to the race due to long periods behind safety car, Wehrlein stated that not only did he take damage, his teammate, Felix Da Costa was hit on the head by a large part of debris.
He said: “I had damage on my car because of hitting some big debris. I had floor damage there and my teammate got hit by a big part on the helmet.”
Pascal stated he believed that he and the team should have ended on the podium in what was a chaotic race from start to finish.
Falling in and out of race lead, the German finished in fifth at his home race with championship rival, Nick Cassidy winning the race despite in 21st only laps before the race finish.
Cassidy now leads the championship by nine points despite behind by seven before the race.
He said: “Just when the race picked up some pace, in the end, were not there. The race was not going that fast in the end.
“I think more would have been possible but definitely not the win today. I think we didn’t have the pace to win today but a podium could have been possible.
“I don’t mind how the championship looks at the moment there’s still many races to go and we just have to try and maximise. It’s clear we were not the fastest, tomorrow we will have a similar race so we need to make sure that tomorrow we are.”
Following the race, several drivers led the discussion on the racing style of Formula E.
Pascal has agreed with a common opinion among drivers that it can often not be enjoyable, stating he is looking in his ‘rear mirror’ more than he is looking forward.
He said: “It’s not enjoyable because you’re spending more time looking in your rear mirror where other cars are going and there are cars in front of you and you’re just managing not to get hit, not get front wing damage and not break your hands.
“It is what it is, we are all facing the same situation but for sure, it’s very different racing to what we are used to.”