Nissan’s Oliver Rowland became the Formula E Season 11 Drivers’ Champion in Berlin, while Jaguar clinched a double victory at Tempelhof.
How Did Oliver Rowland Secure the Formula E Drivers’ Championship in Berlin?
Oliver Rowland becoming Season 11’s Drivers’ Champion seemed inevitable after his excellent results at the beginning of the year. He sealed the Formula E title in Berlin following Race 2, where a fourth-place finish gave him the points needed to win overall.
His weekend did not begin smoothly. A collision with Stoffel Vandoorne in Race 1 forced him to retire after sustaining steering damage on Lap 33 at Turn 7.
While Vandoorne finished 12th, Rowland was deemed responsible and received a five-place grid drop for Race 2. Despite this setback, he remained focused.
Although Pascal Wehrlein finished second in Race 1, he failed to maintain momentum in the following race. The German looked strong by securing pole position for Race 2, but ultimately experienced a disappointing race, finishing 15th.
Wehrlein led much of the race, up to Lap 29 of 41, benefiting from teammate Antonio Felix da Costa’s support.
Rowland, however, used his first attack mode at the right time, whereas Wehrlein slipped back down the grid. By Lap 30, Rowland had moved towards the front and activated his second attack mode on Lap 34 to stay within the top ten.
Thanks to a smart strategy, Rowland built up enough of a gap in the standings to clinch the title, regardless of Wehrlein’s result.
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What Does the Teams’ Championship Look Like?
Nissan has narrowed the gap to Porsche in the Teams’ Championship after da Costa collected just five points across the Formula E Berlin weekend.
The Portuguese driver had been on course for a third-place finish in Race 1, but a five-second time penalty for an aggressive move on Jake Hughes dropped him down the order.
After the penultimate round, Porsche tops the order with 228 points while Nissan sits behind on 205. They also top the Manufacturers’ Championship, holding 342 points compared to Nissan’s 335.
However, it remains a tight contest between the German and Japanese outfits, and will be decided at the finale in London, where one team will take the victory.
Porsche has the advantage of consistently strong performances from both drivers. Nissan has struggled with their second driver. Norman Nato currently sits 19th in the drivers’ standings, highlighting their dependence on Rowland, who has scored the vast majority of their points.
Although Porsche appears to be the favourites, both drivers will need to deliver at their best to secure the title.
How Did Jaguar Win Both Races in Berlin?
Rain affected the entire Formula E Berlin double-header, making both free practice and qualifying sessions difficult.
The unpredictable weather proved a great equaliser, allowing teams further down the order, such as Jaguar TCS Racing, to shine. Adapting to the GEN3 EVO has been a struggle for the team, with the car not suiting their strengths.
Despite a win for Mitch Evans in São Paulo and a podium for Nick Cassidy in Monaco, it’s largely been a forgettable campaign. Until Formula E visited Berlin, that is.
The British team defied expectations by taking victory in both races.
Evans secured pole for Race 1 in a shortened qualifying session due to poor weather. He led most of the wet race with a solid strategy, pitting for his energy boost at the same time as Wehrlein, keeping the lead.
His win in Berlin was his first points since the São Paulo opener, and he also now ties the all-time win record of 14 with Sebastien Buemi.
Cassidy’s triumph in Race 2 was even more remarkable. Starting 20th, he climbed the order using well-timed attack modes and managed to fend off Jean-Éric Vergne and Jake Dennis in the closing stages.
He also had more energy than his rivals, using it effectively to stretch his lead at the front.
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Will the Rookie Test Reflect the Performance of Season 11’s GEN3 EVO?
Whether the rookie test reflects the season’s true performance levels depends on both car and driver quality, something still being evaluated in Season 11.
Both elements are essential: a talented driver cannot perform without a competitive car, but the best machinery cannot compensate for a struggling driver.
The rookie test, then, becomes a measure of both individual potential and team strength.
Nissan and Porsche were expected to perform well, and they didn’t disappoint. By the end of the morning session, Nissan’s Gabriele Minì topped the timesheets, reinforcing the car’s competitiveness.
Mahindra’s Kush Maini finished second in the session, building on the team’s Race 1 podium with Edoardo Mortara.
Meanwhile, 2023 F2 champion Théo Pourchaire, testing for Maserati MSG Racing, set the fourth quickest time, despite the car’s struggles this season.
This suggests that while both car and driver matter, standout individual performances, such as Pourchaire’s, can go beyond the car’s limitations.
How Did Felipe Drugovich’s Debut in Berlin Go?
Felipe Drugovich filled in for Nyck de Vries as Formula E headed to Berlin, who was competing in the 6 Hours of São Paulo for WEC. He delivered a commendable performance.
His Race 1 outing was less successful, as he ended 17th and a lap down in tricky wet conditions. However, his prior Formula E testing experience helped ease the learning curve over the Berlin weekend.
He adapted well and performed strongly in the drier Race 2, demonstrating his potential.
Drugovich should be pleased with his debut, especially considering he outperformed fellow rookies Zane Maloney and David Beckmann, who are yet to score this season.
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Main Photo
- Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
- Recording Date: 07/13/2025
