Oliver Rowland won Race 2 of the E-Prix in Tokyo, while Nissan celebrated success at home.
A Showdown from Rowland at the Tokyo E-Prix
Rowland retook pole position for Race 2, starting for the second time in two days from the first position on the grid. Next to the Briton was Dan Ticktum, who achieved the best qualification of his career in Formula E.
On the starting grid, there are only twenty-one cars. Mitch Evans was forced to withdraw from the race after a qualifying accident that severely damaged his Jaguar.
At the start, Rowland held the lead and was chased by Ticktum and Pascal Wehrlein. The Season 10 World Champion started third.
Unlike Race 1, teams and drivers did not have the Pit Boost in Race 2. The strategy, therefore, was based solely on the use of the traditional Attack Mode. Some drivers started to take advantage of the extra energy they could receive after the first five laps.
Ticktum and Wehrlein, in particular, used the Attack Mode before the tenth lap in an attempt to overtake Rowland. The driver of the Cupra Kiro succeeded and took the lead in the race on lap eight.
If one side of the Porsche garage could have rejoiced at Wehrlein’s good performance, the other had to deal with the retirement of Antonio Felix Da Costa. The Portuguese driver, who came into contact with Edoardo Mortara’s Mahindra, damaged his front suspension.
Da Costa’s crash led race management to announce a Full Course Yellow on lap 13.
READ MORE: Formula E: Vandoorne Wins the First Race of the Tokyo E-Prix
The Fight for the Win
The race became more exciting in the second half.
Rowland, who tends to use the Attack Mode in the most advanced phase of the E-Prix, decided to activate the energy boost on turn 18. The Briton, who slipped in fourth place behind Ticktum, Wehrlein, and Barnard, was looking for a comeback.
The last part of the race was thrilling. The drivers in the leading group activated their last Attack Mode almost simultaneously, launching into a final sprint. In the lead was Wehrlein, who, five laps from the end, was overtaken by Rowland.
On lap 30, the Safety Car was announced after Taylor Barnard hit the barriers while fighting for fourth place. He came out unscathed.
The race resumed with one lap to go. Rowland, Wehrlein, and Ticktum were close to each other, but the Nissan driver managed to stay in the lead. The German driver of Porsche achieved second place, while Ticktum took third, the first podium for Cupra Kiro.
ON HOME SOIL! A home win for @NISMO and @oliverrowland1
in Tokyo!地元での勝利！@NISMO と @oliverrowland1 が東京で優勝を飾る！#TokyoEPrix pic.twitter.com/AzIVFJisri
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) May 18, 2025
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Formula E: Rowland and Nissan on Top of the Standings
Rowland remains on top of the Drivers’ standings. The Briton sits first with 161 points, 77 more than Pascal Wehrlein. The German, who won the championship last year, is second with 84.
Antonio Felix Da Costa is third with 73 points. The Portuguese maintains his position in the standings despite his DNF, due to Barnard’s incident.
What an epic weekend of racing in Tokyo 🤩🇯🇵#TokyoEPrix pic.twitter.com/6sHnKqSpbb
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) May 18, 2025
In the Teams’ championship, Nissan is first with 172 points. Porsche follows the Japanese team with 157. Mahindra remains in third place, having obtained 99 points. Nissan is also first in the Manufacturer’s standings. The brand has 259 points, 47 more than Porsche, which is second with 212.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Andreas Beil
Recording Date: 18.05.2025
