Formula E

Formula E in Tokyo: Stoffel Vandoorne wins Saturday's rain race with Pit Boost gamble

Timo Pape

Timo Pape

Dan Bathie / Spacesuit Media

Stoffel Vandoorne has won Saturday's Formula E race in Tokyo. In a race that was chaotic at times in the rain, the Maserati driver benefited from an early Pit Boost activation immediately before the race was interrupted by a red flag. Championship leader Oliver Rowland (Nissan) finished second. Taylor Barnard (McLaren) completed the podium. There had been numerous collisions and technical failures in the race beforehand.

After the qualifying session had already been cancelled, fans were initially worried about the race, as it only stopped raining a few minutes before the scheduled start at 8 a.m. (CEST). Early on, the start was postponed by a quarter of an hour to 8.15am. The cars then lined up on the grid, which was based on the result of the 2nd free practice session. At 8:09 a.m., race director Marek Hanaczewski confirmed over the radio that the start would take place behind the safety car. It would initially remain on the track for a few laps to better assess the situation. "Then we will decide how to proceed."

So the race finally got underway at 8.15am. With 22 cars behind the safety car, the racing line gradually dried out a little. The Lola drivers reported on the radio that the conditions were relatively good. Only in sector 3 was there still a relatively large amount of water. So the field completed four laps, which counted as part of the race distance as normal, then came the good news: "The safety car will come in after this lap, then there will be a standing start", said race director Hanaczewski. All the drivers positioned themselves on the start and finish straight, and then things finally got underway.

Wild attack mode duels until Günther brings out the red flag

Pole-sitter Oliver Rowland defended his lead at the start, and there were no changes behind him at first either. Antonio Felix da Costa slid slightly into the rear of Jean-Eric Vergne, but this had little effect. Sebastien Buemi immediately drove through the attack zone and picked up his first attack mode - this was exceptionally permitted due to the safety car laps beforehand. With the additional power, Buemi first overtook Norman Nato, then he also caught Taylor Barnard with a late braking manoeuvre. Now it was second-placed Edo Mortara's turn and he had to let his compatriot past. Buemi advanced to second place in four-wheel drive mode.

Mortara, however, immediately activated his first attack mode and quickly reclaimed second position. Rowland at the front led by a good three seconds after eight laps. Barnard made a spectacular drift around the outside of Nyck de Vries on lap 10 and was back in fourth place - a great and courageous manoeuvre! On lap 11, Stoffel Vandoorne was the first driver to come into the pits for a Pit Boost, because in Saturday's race each driver had to come in exactly once to recharge. In terms of energy, Buemi had managed best in the leading group up to that point.

On lap 13, last year's winner Max Günther stopped on the track on the way to turn 15. Race control stopped the race immediately because Günther's DS Penske was in "red" condition, i.e. unsafe. His car had reported an "urgent brake defect" on the steering wheel display and had to be pushed off the track accordingly. The other drivers drove into the pit lane and lined up until the race continued. Only Vandoorne was allowed to complete one more lap alone on the track in order to lap back. "One car now has a huge advantage", explained Porsche team boss Florian Modlinger - after all, Vandoorne was the only driver to have already completed his Pit Boost.

Vandoorne the big winner, Dennis disqualified

At 8:52 a.m. (CEST), the drivers initially returned to the track behind the safety car to position themselves for another standing start - all except Jake Dennis, who turned straight back into the pit lane to complete his Pit Boost. However, the pit lane was still closed according to race control, so Dennis was even disqualified with the black flag shortly afterwards. "It was open", he later contradicted on TV. The lights turned green and Rowland once again maintained his lead. Mortara remained second ahead of Buemi, Barnard and de Vries. The Dutchman drove to the Pit Boost on lap 17, while Rowland took his first attack mode. As a result, several different strategies unfolded.

Robin Frijns had quietly worked his way into the leading group and was in fourth place behind his Envision team-mate Buemi on lap 19. There was a collision in turn 3: De Vries was just coming back from the pit lane when Mitch Evans came racing up from behind. He cut the Mahindra driver's line and contact was made. Evans spun and hit the wall with his rear end, damaging his gearbox. Another premature retirement for the runner-up in the Jaguar, who has not scored a point since his opening win in Sao Paulo.

On lap 24, front-runner Rowland finally pulled into the pits for a Pit Boost. As expected, the Nissan driver returned to the track behind Vandoorne but ahead of Barnard. Buemi then also pitted to recharge and returned to the track just behind Mortara. Meanwhile, Sam Bird received a 5-second time penalty for not following the instructions of the race director. On lap 28, Nick Cassidy was the last driver to pit, resulting in another adjusted classification. As a result, Vandoorne led by around 20 seconds ahead of Rowland, Barnard, Mortara and Buemi.

Rowland trembles until the last corner

The race leader then made a mistake: Vandoorne skidded in turn 1 and then spun in turn 2, making light contact with the wall with his rear end, but did not suffer any damage and was able to continue. Although he lost a few seconds as a result of the action, he still had a very large lead. Meanwhile, the track continued to dry out and became faster. There should be no more rain, Mahindra reported to his driver de Vries. The race was extended by three laps - from 35 to 38 - due to the safety car periods.

Since some drivers still had to activate their second attack mode, there were still various exciting duels. Rowland battled with Barnard for second place, Buemi overtook Mortara for fourth place and set the fastest race lap in the top 10 with the additional power. Dan Ticktum drove to a very good sixth place and was now putting pressure on Mortara, whom he was even to overtake at the end.

So it went into the final lap. Rowland fought with his last reserves of energy and pulled away from Barnard. It got exciting again! However, Rowland saved himself in second place with 0.1 per cent of energy left, while Barnard completed the podium in third place. However, there was no longer any doubt about the winner: Vandoorne crossed the finish line in first place with a lead of 8.1 seconds! It was the fourth Formula E victory for the season 8 world champion and the first Maserati win since the 2024 Tokyo E-Prix, with Buemi finishing fourth ahead of Ticktum after his Monaco victory.

In the overall standings, Rowland has extended his lead to 60 points! Barnard climbed to third place and Vandoorne made a big leap to 8th position. In the teams' standings, Nissan has taken over the lead from Porsche in the teams' standings, while the Japanese have further extended their lead in the manufacturers' standings. The next race takes place in less than 24 hours. Formula E will then compete in the Sunday race in Tokyo - it should remain dry. The race starts again at 8 a.m. (CEST).

Results & lap times

Championship standings (drivers, teams & manufacturers)

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