Tombola in Formula E continues: Cassidy, Evans or Wehrlein?

If there is one certainty in Formula E this season, it is that nothing is certain. Five E-Prix have been completed, and a different driver has stood on the top step of the podium five times. This weekend is the first time the electric class will visit the permanent circuit of Misano, Italy. All the ingredients seem to be in place for another interesting race, with teams having little time to find the right set-up on a new track.

The track in Misano—the successor to the street race in Rome—is best known for MotoGP and Superbike races. Now, with Formula E, an appealing four-wheeled class is also coming to the track named after motorbike rider Marco Simoncelli, who was tragically killed. For the two races on Saturday and Sunday, the track has been adapted into a 3.381-kilometre-long circuit with 14 corners and some long straight sections.

Jaguar and Porsche look fast

Teams with powerful powertrains - such as Jaguar and Porsche - seem to have an advantage on the Italian track, where overtaking looks good. The chances of a good battle between Pascal Wehrlein (first in the standings with his Porsche) and direct pursuer Nick Cassidy (Jaguar) are high.

This pair are due a good result anyway, as the title contenders did not play a leading role in the past two races. As a result, the field has condensed, with Oliver Rowland currently the surprising number three. However, the Nissan driver expects Jaguar and Porsche to have the upper hand in Italy.

Challenge or drop out?

For a number of drivers, Misano will already be fairly crucial for their championship chances. This includes Mitch Evans, the second driver at Jaguar alongside Cassidy. The New Zealander is only sixth, 24 points off leader Wehrlein. In the next two races, the veteran should certainly not let the gap widen much further as the halfway point in the season approaches.

"Racing in Italy holds fond memories for me. Rome was a circuit where I enjoyed a lot of success over the past seasons, but now Misano presents an exciting new challenge. We know our car is competitive, and Misano will give me that opportunity to build on my performances so far this season," Evans stated.

Maserati aims to shine at home

Max Günther (Maserati) - alongside Rowland - is the other surprise this season. The German has already won one race and has high hopes for Misano. "I’m looking forward to racing at Misano this weekend. It’s the Maserati brand’s home race, and the last time we raced in Italy, we experienced a very special podium finish. Misano is the first purpose-built circuit we’ll be racing on this season, so it will be a great challenge to adapt ourselves to this style of track. The victory in Tokyo has been a great achievement, we feel good about our package, about the way we execute and look forward to continuing this momentum into the upcoming races here in front of the tifosi."

De Vries hopes for a turnaround at Misano

Nyck de Vries must also be dreaming of a win, but it does not seem realistic. In fact, the Dutchman is still waiting for his first point this season: "As a team, we probably felt that we deserved a little bit more in Tokyo, so we’re keen and motivated for this weekend."

"Having said that, Misano is going to be a very different sort of event, the track has very different characteristics to, I would say, the previous two circuits. In some ways, it’ll be similar to Brazil, because it’ll be an energy sensitive race, albeit this time on a permanent track. Racing in Italy is always good, and I enjoy going there, so let’s see what we can get," said De Vries, who spent most of his youth racing on Italian soil.