Porsche and Wehrlein to go all out in title chase

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Porsche and Wehrlein to go all out in title chase

TAG Heuer Porsche has its sights on both the Teams' and Drivers' title with Pascal Wehrlein one of four in the running for top spot.

Pascal Wehrlein Formula E Porsche London E Prix

Wehrlein started the season strong with a run of three podiums, including a double victory in Diriyah. However, despite holding the standings lead for the longest period this season, the TAG Heuer Porsche driver has seen this slip from his grasp.

A return to the top step in Jakarta reignited his championship challenge, but the German has scored 61 fewer points than Dennis over the last four races and has gone from the lead in the championship to a 49-point deficit.

READ MORE: How the title battle twisted and turned

Like Evans, the Porsche driver might need a lot to go his way on Saturday to stay in the fight. Wehrlein needs to gain at least 20 points on the championship lead on Saturday or else he will be eliminated from title contention going into the final day.

"We want to finish the season with a successful result," says Wehrlein. "Our sights are firmly set on winning the world championship Teams' title. We still have a good chance.

diriyah moment wehrlein

"We weren’t good enough in the last qualifying sessions. Our race performance, on the other hand, was always strong, including the most recent event in Rome. So, in London, where it’s also difficult to overtake, I’m hoping that we’ll perform better in qualifying and clinch the title in the race.”

PREVIEW: Everything you need to know ahead of the London double-header

Qualifying has been a thorn in the side of Wehrlein and Porsche this season. Wehrlein says it himself, and Team Principal Florian Modlinger acknowledges their Rome struggles were down to poor performance over the hotlaps in qualifying.

With quali so key in London - there's been no winner from below third on the grid at the ExCeL - improvement is needed from the team, who've only started in the top three twice in Season 9, if it is to get the results it needs in the World Championship charge.

"Our problem in Rome was qualifying," says Modlinger. "Overtaking is difficult there and it hit us hard. Pascal started 15th and still managed to clinch seventh. If we'd started further up the grid, we could have done much better. 

Porsche has pulled out all the stops in the simulator ahead of the season finale, with setup the focus. Modlinger says anything is possible if the team puts this preparation into practice come the weekend.

“In preparation for London, we used the simulator to adapt the setup of our Porsche 99X Electric to the track characteristics,” adds Modlinger. “We’ll use the practice sessions to put the final touches and then go for gold in the qualifying and race.”

“We’ve prepared well and are looking forward to a fantastic conclusion to the season. Anything is possible. “The top three teams are within 25 points of each other. We are 14 points behind Envision Racing, which means we have to work hard. Whoever has a strong car in London and makes no mistakes will be the winner.

"One of these teams will become the World Champion and that’s our goal.”