Formula E Takes on the Streets of Tokyo

As the season finale in London approaches, the championship heats up with surprising drivers taking the top spots in changeable conditions.

(Image credit to Formula E)

With just four races left in the season, all eyes were on Tokyo. With Pascal Wehrlein coming into the races as championship leader, it was all to play for in the fight for a new or returning champion. With adverse conditions, with FP3 cancelled due to the rain, strategy and tyre pressures would come into play in the racing in the heart of Japan.

Race 14

Taking pole position on Saturday, Jake Dennis led the field away, ahead of Edoardo Mortara and António Félix da Costa in the top three. Nico Müller tried to overtake António Félix da Costa, but the gap quickly disappeared, leaving him with front-wing damage.

In a Pit Boost race, drivers were trying to conserve energy, and Dennis maintained the lead at the halfway point, followed by Sébastien Buemi and Edoardo Mortara in third position as drivers completed their Pit Boost stops. António Félix da Costa's race was damaged after he crashed into his former teammate, Pascal Wehrlein, sending him into the wall, although he was able to continue. Wehrlein suffered front-wing damage and entered the pits twice, once for Pit Boost and later to retire.

The Pit Boost was critical for Dan Ticktum, who was able to carve his way through the field as the strategy allowed him to emerge ahead of the other frontrunners and lead the race. Nick Cassidy also gained a position, overtaking Mortara, while Ticktum built a buffer at the front.

Jake Dennis had the pace, though, and was able to overtake Dan Ticktum, who asked over the radio not to fight. It seemed like Dennis' race to lose until a late issue with energy allowed Ticktum to retake the lead and win the race on the final lap. Nick Cassidy finished on the podium, showing excellent pace and emotion after Team Principal Cyril Blais passed away unexpectedly earlier in the week. Cassidy was emotional in the interviews and signalled to the sky while being handed his trophy.

The top ten was completed by Mitch Evans in fourth after climbing from 16th, as he steadily came through the field after a late six-minute Attack Mode, which put him in the lead of the championship. Edoardo Mortara, Jean-Éric Vergne, Oliver Rowland, Pepe Martí, António Félix da Costa and Taylor Barnard finished in the top ten.

(Image credit to Formula E)

Race 15

After taking pole position, Mortara led the cars away in what was expected to be a wet race, as rain fell before the lights went out, leading to a Safety Car formation lap and a standing start. Dan Ticktum and António Félix da Costa followed behind in second and third. All the cars set off close together, except for a slower Norman Nato in sixth, allowing António Félix da Costa, Oliver Rowland, and Nico Müller to take an early Attack Mode. Félix da Costa then took the lead by overtaking Mortara.

The race settled, with a dry line forming around the track as the top three remained in sequence, although tyre pressures quickly became a concern as Ticktum complained of a lack of grip. As a result, Taylor Barnard overtook him for third, while Evans then passed him for fourth but was later unable to overtake Rowland, affecting his race.

A Full Course Yellow was thrown at the halfway point as Sébastien Buemi squeezed Pepe Martí into the wall, which affected Mortara's Attack Mode. Barnard and Ticktum quickly activated Attack Mode and traded places, with Barnard taking the lead after a switchback on da Costa.

Rowland made effective use of his Attack Mode to overtake da Costa for second before closing the gap to Barnard at the front. Barnard took his second Attack Mode to try to keep Rowland at bay, but Rowland's tyre pressures allowed him to take the lead.

A late-charging Jean-Éric Vergne came through as the circuit dried before overtaking Barnard, who lost more positions with a wetter set-up. Nyck De Vries was also able to weave through the pack with a later Attack Mode, catching Rowland before overtaking him for the lead.

Rowland tried to retake the lead but left his move too late, while Jake Dennis and Nick Cassidy both gained positions inside the top four. This was halted by a late red flag after Mortara and Joel Eriksson collided, leading to a one-lap shoot-out.

It was Nyck De Vries who took the win, with Nick Cassidy and Jake Dennis behind in second and third. The top ten was completed by Oliver Rowland in fourth, Jean-Éric Vergne in fifth, Norman Nato in sixth, Nico Müller in seventh, Taylor Barnard in eighth, Maximilian Günther in ninth and Zane Maloney in tenth.

Championship Standings

The Drivers' Championship was on everyone's lips at the beginning of the weekend. Pascal Wehrlein needed a perfect weekend to keep his title hopes alive, but after failing to score points in either race, he dropped to third in the standings ahead of London.

Mitch Evans was therefore able to retake the championship lead on Saturday, but this was quickly taken away after a pointless finish. Jake Dennis, after consistent podiums over the weekend, jumped to the top of the standings, with Mitch Evans just two points behind. With the competition so close this season, any of the top five drivers remain in title contention heading into London, with Oliver Rowland and Edoardo Mortara sitting fourth and fifth, respectively.

After a strong weekend for Porsche-powered cars, with Dennis' podiums and Ticktum's victory, Porsche secured its first Manufacturers' Championship. Jaguar TCS Racing still lead the Teams' Championship after a mixed weekend, followed by Porsche, thirteen points behind, and Andretti in third.

The title now comes down to London, the last time Formula E will race around the ExCeL Circuit. With surprises never far away in Formula E, the driver who can master the unique inside-outside layout will be crowned champion.

Article Written by Amy Powis