Wehrlein strikes back in the rain
It is hard to fathom just how quickly a championship can turn. With only five rounds remaining in the 2025/26 season, Pascal Wehrlein has reminded us exactly why he belongs at the sharp end of the grid. After a nightmare run of three rounds without scoring a single point, the Porsche driver was flawless in the rain, securing a win that brings him within three points of championship leader Mitch Evans.
The race itself was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Starting side-by-side with Evans after their intense qualifying showdown, Wehrlein never looked rattled. Despite the chaotic weather conditions that disrupted everyone’s strategy, he managed to stay at the front of the pack. His approach was simple but effective: stay efficient, utilize the slipstream, and keep the car clean.
"The goal was to stay somewhere in the front because rain was expected," Wehrlein said after the race. "We tried to stay efficiently at the front and not lose too many positions trying to bank energy with slipstream. It worked out perfectly." When the battle got heated, he relied on his pace and tactical maturity. Even when he momentarily slipped back, his ability to fight back immediately proved to be the difference maker. He credited the timing of his Attack Mode and his Pit Boost strategy for allowing him to dictate his own pace throughout the race.
It was a massive day for the standings, with 28 points heading into the Porsche driver's tally thanks to his pole position and race victory. Crucially, his rivals had a day to forget. Mitch Evans, Mortara, and Rowland all failed to score in Sanya, essentially bunching the championship race tighter than ever.
Wehrlein is clearly aware of the stakes as the series prepares to head to the Shanghai International Circuit. "Very important day. All remaining five races now are super important," he stated. Having felt that his recent results were undeserved, he is looking at the final stretch with a singular focus: "Every race it's all or nothing, we want to win and collect championships."