The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League is currently facing a controversial situation regarding a decision made by the FIA regarding a potential yellow flag violation. Pascal Wehrlein, who was in fifth place during the race, was accused of passing a yellow flag and gaining a position. However, Wehrlein argues that he passed the flag before the designated area for the attack mode activation. Porsche, the team representing Wehrlein, believes that the decision made by the FIA was incorrect and hopes that the situation will be reviewed accurately.
During the incident, Wehrlein passed Jean-Eric Vergne for position, but was later instructed by race director Scot Elkins to give the position back. Wehrlein complied and returned the position to Vergne. However, he maintains that the decision was unjust and that he did not pass Vergne during the safety car period, as claimed by Elkins. Porsche has expressed frustration with the lack of available footage to review the incident and hopes that the FIA has made a fair judgment.
The FIA’s handling of such incidents during races has been a topic of discussion within the Formula E paddock. Race director Scot Elkins is responsible for managing multiple incidents in a short amount of time, often relying on limited resources and footage. The matter of how these incidents are dealt with will be addressed in meetings at the Berlin E-Prix.
The relationship between Porsche and the FIA has been strained in recent years due to several contentious incidents. These include Wehrlein’s loss of victory at the Puebla E-Prix in 2021, Antonio Felix da Costa’s disqualification at the first London E-Prix, and investigations into Porsche’s software and non-compliant parts. These incidents have led to heated discussions between Porsche and the FIA, raising concerns about fair treatment of teams in the championship.
Despite the ongoing controversy, it is unlikely that Porsche’s decision on whether to commit to the Gen4 rules set for the 2026-2030 period will be affected. Porsche is expected to announce its decision by the end of May and is generally satisfied with the direction of Formula E. However, the team is looking for increased TV viewership, particularly in China, where it has a growing market for its electric models. The upcoming race in Shanghai could play a crucial role in Porsche’s decision-making process.