Pascal Wehrlein delivers 'hunger' warning after Formula E title defence failure

Pascal Wehrlein has revealed that failing to defend his 2024 Formula E drivers' title has increased his "hunger" to bounce back next season. 

The Porsche driver sealed third in the standings after a frustrating season finale in London a fortnight ago, where luck was once again not in the German's favour. 

A strong podium was claimed in the first of two races in London, before he lost the benefit of his entire second attack mode due to a safety car in the final race.

It was an E-Prix which summarised Wehrlein's title defence, although Porsche did manage to clinch the teams' and manufacturers' championships. 

Wehrlein's title defence got off to the worst possible start in São Paulo, where a terrifying airborne crash resulted in a period of recovery over the festive period before heading to Mexico City. 

Qualifying was a major strength of the 30-year-old's in Season 11, whilst bad luck was experienced on several occasions in the races. 

Overall, Porsche's strong qualifying pace failed to always convert into equally strong race pace, an area to be explored before the new campaign.

"I feel like this season has been a season of real effort, putting in the effort," Wehrlein told RacingNews365. "Because, after such an incident [in São Paulo], the team had to put in a huge effort to give me a competitive car again, build up a new car. 

"Then we a couple of times had incidents, like in Jeddah, where we DNF'd starting from P2, a couple of safety cars and bad luck on the attack mode. I can remember just out of my head, Mexico, Tokyo, London, and I'm sure there was one or two others. 

"So yeah, it just didn't always go our way. And at the same time I did kind of a double programme with driving the first time in Le Mans and on both sides, I just wanted to show my best possible performance and succeed. 

"Therefore, I put in a lot of effort for both and I'm very happy that the season now is over, yeah, that I can recharge and bounce back next year."

Wehrlein eyes Season 12 crown

The FE season was one of huge effort for Wehrlein who, as he mentioned, made his Le Mans debut. He also debuted in the 24 Hours of Daytona, increasing his workload. 

It came as a significant challenge, leaving him eager for a short period away from race tracks.

However, being beaten to the title by Nissan's Oliver Rowland has already given him the fuel and "hunger" to work even harder in the new campaign to become a two-time world champion.

Asked if failing to defend his Season 10 crown has increased his hunger to clinch the drivers' title next season, Wehrlein said: "Yeah, my hunger is very big. I think my hunger now, by not winning it this year again, it's quite a lot bigger if I would have won again. 

"So, yeah, I mean, right now, I just feel exhausted and ready for some time off. But you know me, and you know that, yeah, after a couple of days and a bit of holiday, I will put in the effort again and work really hard to make next season very strong."