TOKYO, May 18, 2025 — In a dramatic and emotionally charged conclusion to the Tokyo E-Prix weekend, Oliver Rowland of the Nissan Formula E Team claimed a long-awaited home victory in Round 9 of the 2024–25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The win marks Nissan’s first triumph on Japanese soil and Rowland’s fourth victory of the season, further extending his dominance atop the championship standings.
Held on the street circuit surrounding Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, this year’s Tokyo E-Prix featured a double-header weekend across May 17 and 18. While wet weather plagued the first race, forcing the cancellation of qualifying and resulting in a shuffled starting grid, Sunday’s Round 9 race benefitted from dry and sunny conditions, allowing teams and drivers to fully unleash their strategic capabilities.
Round 8: Wet Weather Shakes Up the Grid
Saturday’s action was heavily impacted by intense rainfall, which led to the cancellation of the qualifying session. As a result, the grid was determined based on championship standings, significantly affecting several teams’ race strategies. Despite the chaos, it was TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein who ultimately prevailed, securing a crucial win in treacherous conditions.
Oliver Rowland, who started from second, had been poised for victory in Race 1 but had to settle for a frustrating second-place finish. Still, his consistent performance set the tone for what would become a defining weekend in his campaign.
Round 9: A Masterclass in Strategy and Composure
Sunday’s race, Round 9 of the championship, saw the return of dry conditions and the reinstatement of standard qualifying procedures. In the morning qualifying duel sessions, Rowland secured his second consecutive pole position, narrowly edging out Dan Ticktum of CUPRA KIRO. A crash in the final duel involving Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans ruled him out of the main event, reducing the competition for the top step of the podium.
The 32-lap race began under clear skies and 26°C temperatures. Rowland held the lead at the start, followed by Ticktum and Wehrlein. However, with mandatory usage of Formula E’s unique Attack Mode—a temporary power boost activated by driving through a designated zone—strategy quickly became the central focus.
Early adopters of Attack Mode, including Ticktum, Wehrlein, and NEOM McLaren’s Taylor Barnard, managed to leapfrog Rowland, who briefly fell back as far as sixth. Meanwhile, a collision between Porsche’s António Félix da Costa and another car led to front wing damage and a subsequent retirement, prompting a Full Course Yellow for debris removal.
Once the race resumed, Rowland activated his first Attack Mode but found himself unable to regain lost positions, with Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy successfully using his own boost to overtake. Recognizing the need for an alternate strategy, Rowland opted to deploy his second Attack Mode earlier than his rivals. Choosing the 6-minute + 2-minute configuration (as opposed to the more common 4+4 minute option), he timed his push with clinical precision.
On Lap 26, with Wehrlein’s Attack Mode expiring, Rowland executed a bold overtake into Turn 15, powering past on the outside wall with just millimeters to spare. The move—decisive and daring—earned him the race lead and brought the Tokyo crowd to its feet.
Late Drama and a Historic Finish
Just as Rowland reclaimed the lead, tension ramped up across the grid. A fierce battle ensued among the front-runners, with Barnard crashing into the wall on Lap 29, bringing out the safety car. With only one lap remaining after the restart, energy management was no longer a concern, and all drivers unleashed their remaining pace.
Rowland remained composed, fending off a final charge from reigning champion Wehrlein to secure victory for Nissan in front of an ecstatic home crowd. Ticktum crossed the line in third, earning his maiden Formula E podium and CUPRA KIRO’s best finish since the 2018 Mexico City E-Prix.
Behind them, Jake Dennis (Andretti Formula E) executed a stellar recovery drive from 14th on the grid, skillfully using Attack Mode to finish just outside the podium in fourth. Cassidy rounded out the top five for Jaguar TCS Racing.
Championship Standings and Looking Ahead
Rowland now leads the FIA Formula E Drivers’ Championship with a commanding 161 points, nearly doubling the tally of second-place Wehrlein (84 points). Nissan also tops both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ Championships, marking a significant resurgence for the Japanese marque.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues with another double-header in Shanghai on May 31 and June 1. With momentum squarely on his side, Rowland will aim to further solidify his path toward a potential championship crown.
Tokyo E-Prix Weekend Summary
Round 8 (May 17, Wet Conditions)
- Winner: Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche)
- 2nd Place: Oliver Rowland (Nissan)
- 3rd Place: Jean-Éric Vergne (DS Penske)
Round 9 (May 18, Dry Conditions)
- Winner: Oliver Rowland (Nissan)
- 2nd Place: Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche)
- 3rd Place: Dan Ticktum (CUPRA KIRO)
Key Highlights from Round 9
- Nissan secures its first Formula E victory on home soil.
- Oliver Rowland executes strategic Attack Mode usage to reclaim the lead.
- Pascal Wehrlein extends his podium streak and remains a title contender.
- Dan Ticktum claims a career-best P3 finish in Formula E.
- Mitch Evans unable to start due to qualifying crash.
- Safety car adds drama to final lap shootout.
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