His win in Rome meant he ended the Mitch Evans’ (Jaguar TCS Racing) consecutive win streak here in Italy, and did it in style.
Starting from the Julius Baer Pole Position, Dennis was able to balance energy management with the constant threat behind him from the likes of Nissan’s Norman Nato and Jaguar’s Sam Bird. The win places him top of the Drivers’ World Championship, and with a 24 point lead over Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy, which is tied for the largest leading margin at any time by any driver this year.
“I am lost for words how we've just won that race,” Dennis said after the E-Prix. “It was so tactical in the cockpit, trying to keep Bird within a certain distance as he was going to help Mitch. I really needed Norman as my wingman for that race. We worked together really well. I gave him space to help him defend when Bird had ATTACKMODE and when I needed to save I did just that.
“What a race, what a team. I know I say it all the time, but they’ve given me this incredible car. After yesterday's mistake we have turned it around with full redemption and I can’t wait to celebrate with them.”
During Dennis’ race, he narrowly avoided being caught up in a crash on lap two, in which two title contenders, Evans and Cassidy, came together and ruined both of their races. Evans, who drove into the back of his fellow Kiwi compatriot, wad forced to retire, whereas Cassidy was able to get going again although ultimately finishing 14th. In doing so, Dennis became the first driver to lead a GEN3 race from start-to-finish.
“All credit to Jake, you know what a drive,” Avalanche Andretti team boss Roger Griffiths said after the race. “He held off a lot of very competitive guys behind him and drove a super smart race.
“We got the sums right today, we looked really hard and we have to pay credit to our friends at Porsche motorsport. I mean, the powertrain they've given us to be able to prove the efficiency is just amazing. Credit to the team, every single one of them. We work so hard for this. It's been a long time since the first win back in Mexico City. And, you know, what a place to do it here at the most historic track on the Formula E calendar."