NEED for Speed

Undeterred after a setback in the Monaco E-Prix, the two drivers of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa, aimed to reignite their championship standing in the 2023 Jakarta E-Prix—and reignite they did, as Pascal Wehrlein emerged victorious in the first of the two races in Jakarta, held last June 3-4, 2023. Amidst fervent anticipation for the 2023 Jakarta E-Prix, the distinguished drivers attended an exclusive event held at the TAG Heuer Plaza Senayan boutique to offer insightful perspectives on the race and recounted their remarkable journeys as motorsports racers.

What do you think are the most intense moments during a race?

Pascal Wehrlein (PW): I think it gets intense when we put it all together and attempt to make no mistakes. It is true that we are professionals and we can have good times, good qualifying sessions, and good races, but when it comes to not making mistakes, we have to remember to not crack under pressure. That is a difficult thing to do, especially over a whole season. On a good day, we are all very great, and on the bad days, we have to think that the bad days are not actually that bad.

António Félix (AF): For me, it gets tense during qualifying sessions. But I love the tension and the pressure just before the session starts. It may be difficult, but it is a great feeling to have when we outpace the competition.

What do you think is the most defining and unique aspect of Formula E?

PW: The best thing about Formula E is the quality of performance across the whole competition. I used to drive in Formula One and I remember that a gap of three to four seconds between the first and last team often exists during a race. Meanwhile, in Formula E, I noticed that at most, there is a half a second gap between the first and last. I believe this represents a very fair environment for the drivers because, on a good day, you can show what you are capable of. It feels great to be in such a cool team with Porsche, and for a German like me, it is a big dream that came true.

AF: I find the development of technology that we are seeing in electric mobility really great. We are pushing this technology to the streets. We can really see a big connection between the manufacturers of the low cars and the racing department. It is like a testing ground for them to show the people that electric cars are fast, the range is increasing, and they are sexy. For Porsche to be involved in an electric championship is insane because it really shows you where the world is going and it is great to be a part of that growth. We were nothing nine years ago, and now we are making a name for

By Charlene Atalie

ourselves, creating history through memorable moments that have happened in Formula E—the locations, the overtakes, and the wins.

What are some key milestones in your individual careers?

PW: I have been lucky to have a few ones that stand out for me. Obviously, the two wins in the Macau Grand Prix were huge for me. Winning the championship in Formula E, Monaco, and my first win with Porsche, were all key moments for me. I have been lucky along the way and made some memories, wins, and losses. It has been fun.

AF: I also have great moments in my career. Won four German championships in karting, won Formula Vee, which was the first single-seater after karting, won DTM 2015, and spent two years in Formula One, which has been a dream for me since I was a young kid. In Formula E, there were great wins, like our first win for myself and for Porsche last year in Mexico. Ad Diriyah was also a very good win and I will remember it for a long time. Hopefully, at the end of this year, we can say that we are champions.

Do you have a personal motto that you live by?

PW: We have to believe that we can win to win. Now, it is a matter of whether the preparation was well done. I am sure everybody else in the competition has been giving their best to prepare for the race. It is very hard, but we are here to make it harder for them as well.

AF: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. You just need to be as hard as it is thrown at you. It is easy to give excuses, yet I don’t give excuses.

What is your favourite TAG Heuer watch?

PW: My favourite watch would be the TAG Heuer collaboration with Porsche, the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph.

AF: I would go for the TAG Heuer Connected watch. I can change the face of the watch, as well as the straps, very easily. I can go golfing with it, train with it, and it even tracks my sleep. I just love the freedom that the watch gives me.