Pascal Wehrlein outlines clear Formula E title fight stance: 'I don't want to talk it down'

Championship leader Pascal Wehrlein has insisted he does not "want to talk down" this year’s Formula E drivers’ title fight, with his eyes firmly set on the crown.

Wehrlein enters this weekend’s inaugural Madrid E-Prix with a narrow six-point lead over Mahindra’s Edoardo Mortara, following a win in last month’s Jeddah double-header.

The venue for the Madrid event, the Circuito del Jarama, is not entirely new to Formula E, having stepped in at the last minute to host pre-season testing in 2024.

Jarama replaced Valencia, which was struck by devastating floods, and managed to set everything up within just 72 hours.

It is an old-school permanent circuit, designed by the same person behind Suzuka and Zolder, and is firmly a driver favourite.

Discussing Jarama being an exciting circuit, Wehrlein told RacingNews365: "Yeah, definitely. I really enjoy the track — I think most of us do. 

"Usually, I prefer street circuits, but this track feels almost like a street circuit because it's such an old-school track, with high kerbs and gravel and grass. 

"It's not like Valencia, for example, where you have a lot of run-off or tarmac off the track. So yeah, still, if you go over the limit, you will be penalised for it. 

"And that is good — that's what I like. And yeah, the track itself is super, super exciting: up and down, quite fast, with a lot of fast corners and blind corners."

Wehrlein's title talk

Over a third of the season will have been completed following the conclusion of the round in Madrid, a point when the probable title contenders becomes clearer. 

Wehrlein is all but certain to be one of the drivers fighting for the title coming the closing races, but unlike his rivals, is already more than happy to discuss his chances.

Asked if the championship fight is something on his mind, despite it still being early in the season, Wehrlein said: "I think about the championship always, you know. I don't want to talk it down.

"We all know it's early, for sure. It's early — there are a lot of races to go — but it's also clear that I want to fight for the championship, and I want to put myself in a position where, in the last couple of weekends, we have a say in the championship win. That's clear.

"So, does it affect my driving now? No, because yes, it is too early. Do I think about it? Yeah, definitely — I want to win it again."