Wehrlein details 'hunter' mindset in pursuit of Formula E title defence

Pascal Wehrlein has detailed the "hunter" mindset he will take into his Formula E title defence, which gets underway on Saturday in São Paulo. 

The reigning FE world champion has opted for the #1 for the 2025 campaign, which does start at the end of 2024 in Brazil. 

Wehrlein was ninth in the first practice session of the new season, featuring the all-new Gen3 EVO cars. 

It has been just over four months since the Porsche driver claimed his title in a thrilling London finale, which resulted in a very quiet off-season due to having won the world championship.

"Great to be back, great to kick-off the season again," Wehrlein told RacingNews365. 

"Off-season was a bit quieter, I would say, in terms of regrets and doubts, like, what could you have done better to finish higher in the championship? 

"Therefore, it was a very nice off-season. Obviously, the work started very soon after the last race [in London] to prepare for this year, prepare the new car and understand the changes. 

"And here we are. Initially, it always feels like a long time when you finish the season, but then it also feels like time is running quickly."

Title defence challenge

In the 10 completed seasons of the all-electric series, DS Penske's Jean-Eric Vergne is the only driver to have successfully defended a drivers' title. 

It is an extremely difficult task in what is an ultra-competitive championship, which is partly why the German star is not treating the defence of his crown as him being the hunted. 

Instead, he is taking a hunter mindset into S11, due to recognising that everybody is back to zero.

"I feel like the hunter as well," revealed Wehrlein. "Everyone starts from zero again. If you're in the season and you're leading the championship, that's a different feeling compared to now. 

"From last year, everything disappeared, and we all have the chance again to start from zero and build up a strong season. 

"Just because last year was successful, it doesn't mean that this year is for granted again."