2nd place "snatched a bit unfairly" - Ticktum, Barnard & Vergne describe thrilling three-way battle in Shanghai

Dramatic final phase at Saturday's Formula E race in Shanghai: on the way into the final chicane, Dan Ticktum first overtook his compatriot Taylor Barnard for second place, then Jean-Eric Vergne surprisingly overtook both of them to complete the DS one-two victory. After the race, the three drivers described the situation.

Barnard had used up too much energy over the course of the race, which made the wild scene possible in the first place. "I was really struggling with my energy on the last few laps and was doing my best on the last few corners," he describes. As a result, he was forced to come off the throttle pedal early on the last lap in order to regain energy and reach the finish line at all.

When slowing down before turn 10, Ticktum initially sensed his chance and passed the second-placed driver on the outside. "I saw that he was lifting. So I was able to pass him easily. But then he pulled over. That was not 'moving under braking', but 'moving under lifting'. So I had to swerve, hit the dirt a bit and that was actually it for me."

Then Vergne came hurtling down the right-hand side of the track and got alongside the two of them - which came as a surprise to everyone involved. How did he approach the manoeuvre? "To be honest, I have no idea. I just tried it", says Vergne. "I had saved a bit of energy for the end of the race and it paid off. What a race, a rollercoaster ride."

A chaotic ending to say the least 😅

Here's how the battle for P3 unfolded around the last few turns 👇@Hankook_Sport #ShanghaiEPrix pic.twitter.com/CqeySl3UGk

- Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) May 31, 2025

Barnard: "I'm a little confused"

So Vergne actually prevailed against both opponents and finished second. Barnard benefited from the fact that Vergne pushed Ticktum to the outside in the chicane, putting him in a better position for the final corner. As a result, Barnard returned to third place and was subsequently delighted with his fifth podium of the season, which moved him up to second place in the championship.

"I think the others got in each other's way a bit, which is why I was still able to finish on the podium," explained a thoroughly happy Barnard. "My predominant emotion is: I am a bit confused. I didn't understand how the race was going to go. I need to watch the race again to understand what really happened."

Ticktum: "I should have been second"

Ticktum has a few regrets about fourth place, although it was another strong race for the Brit - especially as he started from the back of the field! "To be honest, I feel like it was snatched from me a bit unfairly on the last lap. I should have been second."

He is not only unhappy with Barnard's defensive behaviour, but also complains about the adjustment of the kerbs in the chicane: "If the track had been the same as last year, I would have just stayed on the inside and driven over the grass. But that way I would have driven over the sausage kerb and we would probably both have crashed."

The final words go to the "laughing third", who unexpectedly finished second. Asked about his radio message to his own team after the finish, Vergne replied: "I have nothing to prove, but some people may have been worried that I was too nice. I guess I am not."