ONES TO WATCH: Will Cassidy power to more Portland success?

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ONES TO WATCH: Will Cassidy power to more Portland success?

Nick Cassidy romped to victory here in Formula E's first visit to the rapid Portland International Raceway, 12 months have passed and the Jaguar TCS Racing driver sits atop the Drivers' championship and looking on form to repeat that success, or can he be stopped? Here are some hopefuls who are looking to chase down the Kiwi.

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It's the penultimate double-header of the season as Formula E gets set for one of, if not the fastest circuit on the calendar with a return to Portland, last year saw records set with average speeds in qualifying and record leaders in the race - see the stats for yourself.

There aren't many races left to challenge for the VIP Formula E experience in Formula E Predictor. Head to the app now to set your predictions or keep scrolling for tips and to find out more about a special Andretti competition for the American team's home race this weekend in Portland.

For the win

Nick Cassidy (Jaguar TCS Racing) has been Captain Consistency this season, racking up eight podium finishes as he closes in on his first Formula E title. The New Zealander arrives in Portland with a 25-point lead in the Drivers' standings, and this country has been kind to him.

CASSIDY MOMENT OF THE DAY PORTLAND

Cassidy scored his first victory in Formula E with a rollercoaster of success in New York City when a sudden downpour of rain brought an early end to the race. He followed that up with his third of four wins from Season 9 in fine form in Portland 12 months ago.

Starting from 10th on the grid, he worked his way up in the intense pack racing, a skill he's demonstrated prowess for, to time it perfectly to reach the top step.

This weekend marks the first opportunity that Cassidy and also Jaguar TCS Racing can secure the Drivers' and Teams' titles, as there is a mathematical for them to clinch both titles by the end of the weekend.

But can anyone stop him... One driver who will want to go out on a high in his title defence is reigning champion Jake Dennis, and what better place than Andretti's home race?

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The Brit has had his struggles in 2024, but was right in the mix last year and battled with Cassidy right down to the wire in Portland last year - it's a track where team owner Michael Andretti has found success before. The American motorsport legend will have plenty of advice to give to Dennis this weekend as the home team searches for more success on home soil.

Podium Potentials

One driver best placed to halt Cassidy's championship aspirations is Pascal Wehrlein. The German needs a good points haul this weekend to keep the title fight alive going into the season finale weekend in London.

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As another tight pack race is forecast for this weekend, Wehrlein and TAG Heuer Porsche will have some confidence under their feet after a victory in similar conditions in Misano. Antonio Felix da Costa was also in the mix last year, so there's a wealth of data at their disposal and a potential for some Porsche teamwork on the cards.

Could this weekend be a case of, waiting for one and two to come at once for Jake Hughes? The NEOM McLaren driver picked up a second-placed finish and scored a debut podium last time out in Shanghai.

Jake Hughes secures a first Formula E podium in Shanghai

We already know he's quick with his qualifying performance since joining the all-electric series last year, and finally putting together a run to the podium. There will be confidence for the Brit as he hunts down more silverware.

Envision's defence of the Teams' title has not gone to plan in Season 10, with the green squad down in eighth in the standings. Both Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns have that all-powerful Jaguar powertrain that found success here with Cassidy last season, in the same team to boot.

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Both could be wildcard choices for this weekend and in a strange coincidence, both drivers last won in the USA in the 2019 New York City double-header. Frijns is approaching his 100th Formula E race this weekend, so a return

One lap pace

If last year was anything to go by, qualifying is going to be a fast affair and it was Jake Dennis who started from pole in the 2023 Portland race. But it was the Brit's semi-final lap that went down in Formula E history with the fastest lap speed set at 166.630km/h.

Dennis beat Sacha Fenestraz to pole in the Final, the French-Argentine has not had the best luck this season but he had the pace in Portland and the speed is there in the Nissan machine. We've seen what Fenestraz is capable of, but right now it's all been about teammate Oliver Rowland with the Brit currently having the highest win percentage in the Duels at 72%.

Special prizes up for grabs in Andretti's home race

Join the Andretti league and battle it out for exclusive prizes for the top three finishers, with the first-place prize of a signed team cap from drivers Jake Dennis and Norman Nato up for grabs - don't miss out and join now.