Formula E: 5 things we learned upon return in Saudi Arabia

2. Mercedes are ready to compete for titles straight away

Mercedes EQ Formula E Team had about as positive a first weekend as they could have possibly hoped for.

With Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries making it into Super Pole on Friday and Vandoorne securing podium finishes in both races, the signs are that they have a car that can compete and drivers who can deliver on that potential.

It should be noted that DS Techeetah and Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler both had disappointing weekends, and this opened the door for Mercedes’ success, while Vandoorne put in a series of impressive qualifying displays with the now defunct HWA Racelab last season and still finished in 16th place in the driver standings.

However, with HWA, Vandoorne was unable to translate those qualifying performances into race results, with just one podium finish and only five top 10 finishes.

At the end of the first weekend of the 2019-20 season, however, Vandoorne sits in second place in the driver standings, and by coming through the field in race two, he showed that he can secure results from further down the grid, too.

De Vries was also impressive in his first Formula E outing and clearly learned from the mistakes he made in race one in terms of energy consumption.

This is positive news for Mercedes, which, unlike Jaguar or Porsche, look to have two drivers who can compete at the front end of the grid.

Of course, BMW showed impressive speed too, while in Bird and Robin Frijns, Envision Virgin Racing have drivers of the highest order. But after the first weekend, Mercedes cannot be ruled out.