29 July 2023
British driver Jake Dennis hung on during a dramatic stop/start opening Formula E race to finish second at the London E-Prix and with it securing the 2023 World Championship title. The last time a world champion of motorsport was crowned on UK soil was back in 1985 with Alain Prost during the European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch.
Racing on the world's only indoor/outdoor circuit created at the Royal Docks venue, Dennis also got to do it on home turf into front of a sell out home crowd.
Speaking afterwards the Andretti driver said: "Oh my God. That is incredible. That race was so hard, everything thrown at us. World Champions, baby. I feel incredible, amazing.
"I felt like everyone was racing against us but Jesus Christ, we have just become World Champion and I am so so happy for myself, the team and everyone, we deserved it so much.
"I only joined the championship three years ago and we almost won it in our rookie year, but now to come back and properly have the year that we had, you know break all the podium records and to become World Champion, it’s just mind blowing. I really didn’t think it coming into this year and full credit to my boys - I love them so much and they've given me an absolute rocketship all year. And this is the least I can do for them.
"I can hear the fans as well and it's just absolutely incredible to share this with them, and my mum's out there somewhere too. World Champions - I am just amazed."
Kiwi Mitch Evans went on to win the race with Sebastien Buemi third.
This year marks the first time Excel London has hosted the season finale of the all-electric racing series.
