Penrith racer Oliver Turvey heads for Mexico City in Formula E championship

NIO 333’s Turvey left the season opening Diriyah E-Prix empty-handed in Saudi Arabia – and will be targeting his first points of the season in Mexico.

“I have always enjoyed racing in Mexico,” Turvey said.

“It’s great to be going back to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. I have good memories having scored my first pole position and first podium position there.

“The fans are always extremely passionate about Formula E, creating an amazing atmosphere in the stadium.

“I have been working in our simulator at Silverstone to prepare for the race and hope to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Tiger with a strong result for the everyone in the team.”

The championship returns to Mexico City following a two-year absence due to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit being used as a COVID-19 vaccination centre during the early stages of the pandemic.

Its use as a vaccination centre adds to the history of the track, which is one of the few traditional circuits Formula E races on and is also used in Formula 1 for the Mexico Grand Prix.

The 110,000-capacity circuit hosted its first Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1962 and took its name when Mexican driver Ricardo Rodríguez, the youngest Formula 1 driver ever to race for Ferrari, died during the first day of unofficial practice of the race.

Both round one and two in Diriyah saw 34-year-old Turvey 19th.

Reigning champion Nyck de Vries led home a Mercedes-EQ one-two in the first race, with Stoffel Vandoorne second and Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti) third.

Jaguar TCS Racing’s Sam Bird crossed the line in fourth, with Andre Lotterer (Porsche) slipping down the order after a strong start to finish 14th.

The second race saw Edoardo Mortara (ROKiT Venturi Racing) lead home Robin Frijns (Envision Racing) and his Venturi teammate Lucas di Grassi to seal the win for the Monegasque team.

The action from Mexico City is shown live on Eurosport 2 on Saturday from 9.30pm.