Formula E's new format debuts in hectic Jeddah race

DS Penske driver Maximilian Guenther won a spectacular first-ever Formula E race at Formula 1 venue Jeddah, as the series' new pit boost format had a relatively clean debut.

Guenther had started from pole but spent most of the race without the lead, before reeling in a low-on-energy Oliver Rowland at the very end of the 31-lap race on what is a shortened layout of the Saudi F1 venue with extra chicanes added.

It means three different teams and three different powertrains have now taken wins to start this Formula E season.

Chaos right away

Formula E races aren't usually won on the first lap these days - but that didn't stop Jeddah's debut from turning into a melee, with contact through the pack that resulted in the spun McLaren of Sam Bird, the broken Andretti Porsche of Nico Mueller and a punctured tyre for Pascal Wehrlein.

Wehrlein was hit under braking by Jaguar driver Mitch Evans - sardonically reporting on the radio that "Evans likes to crash into others", something that was made funnier unbeknownst to him by the fact Evans then hit Nyck de Vries' Mahindra and badly damaged a front left wheel cover metres later.

For Wehrlein the initial incident meant a right-rear puncture and an early pitstop, one which a subsequent safety car period - indirectly triggered by his Porsche team-mate Antonio Felix da Costa - was too short-lived to make up for.

The reigning champion spent the rest of the race driving around far behind the pack - around the same places as Abt duo Lucas di Grassi and Zane Maloney (both serving penalties assessed pre-race), Norman Nato (who picked up an in-race drive-through penalty for a technical infringement), Dan Ticktum (who required a car reset during his pitstop) and the aforementioned Evans.

Da Costa had himself been hit in the back by Mueller, the impact lifting Mueller's car into the air (and removing it from the race) but allowing Da Costa to continue - albeit with a damaged rear wing that ultimately shed some safety car-causing debris.

Pit boost makes its debut

Formula E's long-delayed pit boost format - reintroducing mandatory pitstops to the category - came into play around midway through the race, with the whole grid coming in quick succession.

Guenther had led from pole before that - he'd even established an early cushion - but he was told during the safety car period to give up the lead to save energy, and by the time the pitstop phase kicked off Rowland had taken control of the race.

Once they'd both made their stops - Rowland slightly later than Guenther - Rowland spent many laps running all on his lonesome out in front, while Guenther battled and tussled with other podium contenders.

But a straightforward win for Rowland wasn't to be.

The win duel

The Nissan driver struggled badly on energy coming into the final laps, getting reeled in by Guenther just in time for the latter to mount a big final-lap attack.

And Rowland was finally forced to yield when he all but ran out of energy on the run down to the final chicane, giving Guenther a clear run to the lead and the win.

Rowland did at least somehow hang on to second place, despite the Nissan-powered McLaren of rookie Taylor Barnard bearing down on him.

The 20-year-old ultimately had to settle for his second third-place finish of the season - this one claimed with a late overtake on De Vries, who despite missing out on the top three enjoyed one of the best drives of his Formula E comeback so far.

Top 10

1 Max Guenther (DS Penske)
2 Oliver Rowland (Nissan)
3 Taylor Barnard (McLaren)
4 Nyck de Vries (Mahindra)
5 Jake Hughes (Maserati)
6 Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Penske)
7 Edoardo Mortara (Mahindra)
8 Sam Bird (Nissan)
9 Antonio Felix da Costa (Porsche)
10 Stoffel Vandoorne (Maserati)

Da Costa - who has given up his championship lead, now trailing Rowland by four points - was the only driver in a Porsche-powered car to score, while the Jaguar-powered cars came up completely empty.

Formula E's Jeddah round will feature a second race on Saturday, albeit this one without the use of pit boost.