Lewis Hamilton is struggling but Formula E driver Jake Dennis has every chance of glory

Jake Dennis slumps into his trusty tenting chair a number of metres from the water’s edge, the place the bobbing residents of Monaco harbour glare below morning solar. 

It is a well-recognized scene for the Avalanche Andretti driver, whose first journeys spherical racing’s most recognisable circuit got here earlier than he may attain the pedals. 

Briefly on Friday, although, Dennis takes a seat inside, his view restricted by the partitions of a makeshift drivers’ room. His thoughts wandering in direction of nightclubs and subsequent summer season.

Jake Dennis, who races for Avalanche Andretti in Formula E, might be Britain’s greatest hope for motorsports success this yr

Dennis in motion on the Rome E-Prix earlier this month as he appears to mount a title problem 

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‘I’ve already booked Ibiza,’ Dennis says. ‘I’ve already organized the dates.’

That was the place the 26-year-old took refuge after his rookie season, after he veered right into a Berlin wall and the chance of a exceptional championship win turned to smoke. 

‘I went to Ibiza for every week with my finest mates and had the most effective time,’ he remembers. ‘There was no level dwelling on it – what was executed was executed.’ 

And so any point out of what got here earlier than was banned. ‘We stated: “Were not speaking about Formula E”,’ Dennis says. ‘It was an actual break up – some faculty mates, some racing mates. The last item they wish to do is talk about racing.’ 

Instead? ‘It was good simply to get some solar, get away from motorsport – it was such an intense yr.’ 

That vacation helped soothe outdated wounds and recharge batteries for this second season. The hope is that Dennis’ subsequent journey to Spain will carry extra trigger to rejoice. 

With Lewis Hamilton floundering in Formula One, he may signify Britain’s finest hope of a motorsport world champion in 2022.

With Lewis Hamilton not having fun with the most effective yr in Formula One, Dennis may provide a hope of British success in motorsports 

Dennis, who hails from Nuneaton in Warwickshire, in motion through the race in Rome 

To chase that dream, although, Dennis should discover some type. He sits tenth within the standings heading into Saturday’s E-Prix; his final three races have introduced only a single level. What higher place to alter fortunes than Monaco?

‘We do want now to start out performing,’ he says. ‘The race tempo must be improved, we have to get on prime of that this weekend if I actually wish to try to win this Championship.’

Dennis drove right here final yr for the primary time but he knew his means round lengthy earlier than then.

‘Playing it on the PlayStation and crashing into all of the partitions after I was a younger child,’ he remembers. ‘When I jumped into Saudi for my first Formula E race, you attempt to study the circuit but you actually do not know which means left and proper goes earlier than you drive it on the simulator.

‘Whereas, Monaco from the age of six or seven, I knew… it simply took me till the age of 25 to really drive it in actual life. It felt like I’d already pushed it 1,000 instances.’ 

The well-known hairpin bend of the Monaco circuit pictured throughout a Formula One Grand Prix 

The course is acquainted to Dennis, who drove it nearly 1000’s of instances when rising up

And but? ‘It did stay as much as expectations. The circuit is superior to drive.’

This tenting chair is the place he’ll spend the ultimate minutes earlier than race time on Saturday. Team-mates previous and current have ready by way of acquainted routines, even visualisation. Dennis’ necessities are extra easy: time to sit back and chat.

The 26-year-old has beforehand in contrast Formula E to a sport of poker. ‘You by no means actually know the place you might be till the chequered flag,’ he says. ‘You can lead the entire race, fairly comfortably, but should you’re quick of power on that final lap, they’re going to simply drive previous you.’

Dennis believes expertise has made him a significantly better driver this season than final. 

So now he is extra of a dab hand at poker, has he visited the native casinos? ‘No I have not, I do not gamble as a result of I’d simply be s***,’ Dennis jokes. 

Huge crowds watch the Mexico E-Prix staged in Mexico City again in February 

‘I really ran into a man at breakfast who’s right here for a poker competitors – it is three days.’ 

Enough time to hitch, then. ‘No. I’d lose all my cash!’ 

Dennis’ winding journey to Monaco started aged eight, when he obtained his first go kart and determined: ‘Nah, I’m not a fan.’ 

It proved an acquired style. ‘The greatest factor in motorsport,’ he says. ‘You clearly should be quick but it is like several sport, it’s a must to be fortunate in sure conditions. Obviously expertise will get you up to now but you should be in the suitable place on the proper time.’ 

He is effectively positioned as Formula E enters a brand new period. This week they launched their new Gen3 automobile – the quickest, lightest, strongest but.

‘I believe it’s going to be an actual beast to drive. It’s going to be tremendous quick on the streets,’ says Dennis, who sees this as ‘one other step ahead’ for a sport hit arduous over current years.

Formula E and the FIA unveiled their new-look automobile at an occasion in Monaco on Thursday

Formula E chiefs declare the car is the primary electrical automobile with a prime velocity of 200mph

‘The sound and the velocity of the automobile is what individuals are typically draw back from,’ he provides. ‘I do not suppose you’ll be able to fault the racing – I believe the racing is far more thrilling than Formula One, there’s a lot motion.’ 

Gen3 ought to sate supporters’ want for velocity, no downside. 

Before then, Dennis continues the lengthy drive in direction of Seoul the place, in August, he’ll hope to log out this season with no extra crashes. More of a bang.

‘It’s a bit of a trek from South Korea right down to Ibiza,’ he says. It could be price it, although, to toast a title? ‘Yeah, for positive.’

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s most intensive calendar so far continues in Monaco this Saturday 30 April stay on Channel 4 from 13:30 BST.