Formula E

Formula E in Tokyo: Rowland defeats Wehrlein in a high-class Sunday race, Ticktum on the podium

Timo Pape

Timo Pape

FIA Formula E

Oliver Rowland (Nissan) has won a thrilling Sunday Formula E race in Tokyo! The world championship leader held his own against Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) and continues to march towards the world championship title. The podium was sensationally completed by Dan Ticktum in the Cupra Kiro - ahead of Jake Dennis and Lucas di Grassi.

Sunday's race began with bad news from the Jaguar garage: Mitch Evans was unable to start the race after his accident in qualifying. "Unfortunately, we didn't manage to get the car back on track in time", explained team principal James Barclay on the grid. David Beckmann had to drop back three places on the grid after being penalised in qualifying. The cars rolled into their starting boxes at 8:04 am (CEST).

Pole-sitter Rowland got away well and immediately moved aggressively onto the inside lane to close the door on Dan Ticktum. Wehrlein sensed his chance, but remained third behind them. Jean-Eric Vergne lost a place to Edo Mortara, who was now fifth. Race control subsequently took a closer look at the duel between the two, as well as a collision between Nyck de Vries and Sam Bird. Both incidents were to remain without consequence. Robin Frijns came straight into the pits to serve a 10-second stop-and-go penalty.

In contrast to the previous day, energy saving played a much bigger role on Sunday because there was no Pit Boost this time. As a result, there were significantly fewer overtaking manoeuvres in the starting phase as the drivers tried to save energy in the slipstream of the car in front. Nevertheless, Wehrlein appeared in Ticktum's rear-view mirror for the first time on lap 4. Antonio Felix da Costa had to orientate himself towards the rear. He lost sixth place to Taylor Barnard and was then overtaken by Norman Nato. The first drivers were already taking their first of two mandatory Attack Modes. This got the field moving.

Attack mode makes for thrilling duels

On lap 7, all the drivers in the top 10 were in Attack Mode - except for the two Nissans. Ticktum attacked Rowland in turn 1 with his additional power and took the lead in Tokyo. Behind him, Barnard had already worked his way up to third place in Attack Mode and now also overtook Rowland with a great manoeuvre. A little later, Wehrlein followed suit and then put Barnard under pressure. The McLaren driver put up a spirited defence over a few corners, but then the world champion passed him and followed Ticktum in the slipstream after his Attack Mode expired.

On lap 12, race director Marek Hanaczewski called a full-course yellow because de Vries had lost his front wing on the track. Shortly before, the Mahindra driver had slid into the rear of Bird due to braking too late. Meanwhile, bad news for Porsche: Felix da Costa had to pit with a broken suspension and retire from the race. The world championship runner-up had slid into the rear of Mortara at the start of the full-course yellow phase - a needless careless mistake! After a few minutes, the race resumed at race pace.

At the halfway point of the race (lap 16/32), Ticktum was still in front, but then Wehrlein took the lead off the TV screen. Rowland got his first Attack Mode on lap 17 and initially fell behind Mortara and Nick Cassidy, who had also fought his way forward with a late first Attack Mode. Rowland was stuck behind the "Kiwi" for a relatively long time. He only made up one position - but also because he had only taken two minutes of Attack Mode. In the "adjusted" classification after the first Attack Mode wave, he had therefore dropped back from first to fifth place. Wehrlein led ahead of Ticktum, Barnard and Mortara.

Pure action in the leading group

The energy levels of the top five were very similar. Only Mortara was at a slight disadvantage. Meanwhile, Jake Dennis had worked his way forward in Attack Mode and showed great overtaking manoeuvres. The Andretti driver moved up to fourth place! Rowland was now only sixth - Nissan had supposedly gambled away in terms of strategy. Then the team reacted and tried to turn the tables: Rowland was the first driver in the leading group to come through the attack zone for the second time on lap 22 - this time for six minutes. First he overtook Mortara, then it was Dennis' turn.

One lap later, the top three drove through the attack zone at the same time, allowing Rowland to pass Barnard and Ticktum. However, he remained behind the leader Wehrlein! Rowland was still in Attack Mode a minute longer than Wehrlein himself. The decisive duel for victory was about to begin. On lap 26, the time had come: at the exit of turn 15, Rowland squeezed past Wehrlein on the outside line and took the lead again with the last seconds of all-wheel drive! Nissan's tactics worked out in the end.

It was also exciting behind them: Barnard defended brilliantly against Mortara in Attack Mode and later even overtook Ticktum! However, the Kiro driver took back third place. At the same time, Wehrlein attacked Rowland, but remained behind him. On lap 29, the top five drove side by side through the corners - great racing! This hot phase ended with contact between Mortara and Barnard: The Mahindra driver braked a little too late and pushed the McLaren slightly. Barnard then lost control of his car and skidded into the TecPro barrier - the unfortunate end for him after a strong race! As he was unable to free himself, the safety car had to come out onto the track.

Full power for everyone until the end

Race control announced that the race would not be extended. As a result, there was only one more lap at normal race pace after the restart. The energy targets no longer played a role, so everyone was able to go full power. Rowland set the pace at the flying restart and stayed in front. Wehrlein tried to attack again, but Rowland did well and took his fourth win of the season! Wehrlein finished second and Ticktum sensationally secured his first Formula E podium - the first for the Kiro team since the 2018 Mexico City E-Prix more than seven years ago - back then by Oliver Turvey! Dennis and di Grassi completed the top 5 in a great race.

Rowland has extended his championship points tally to a mighty 161 points with this success. He now has almost twice as many points as second-placed Wehrlein! Despite his retirement, Felix da Costa is third ahead of Barnard and Dennis. In the team standings, Nissan extended its lead over Porsche by ten points. In the manufacturers' standings, the Japanese lost two points to Porsche, but is still in the lead. The next race takes place in a fortnight' time: Formula E makes a guest appearance in Shanghai on the weekend of 31 May and 1 June - once again for a double-header with two race days.

Results & lap times

Championship standings (drivers, teams & manufacturers)

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