Monaco once again proved to be a stage for redemption and resurgence as Nyck de Vries stormed to second place in a dramatic Monaco E-Prix. It is his first Formula E podium since 2022 and Mahindra’s first since Season 9.
What happened during the Monaco E-Prix?
From the race’s opening laps, De Vries showcased speed and strategy, capitalising on timely decisions around attack mode and pit boost to emerge as a front-runner. In a Formula E race punctuated by full course yellows and high-stakes energy management, de Vries kept a cool head amid the chaos.
Reflecting on his return to the podium, the Dutchman told media including FastestFormulaNews: “Yeah, it sounds like a while ago, well it is a while. Luckily, I still knew the way to the grid from F2 days. But no it’s been an incredible day for us as a team all the way through Practice and Qualifying. And the team just did an incredible job during the race, making the right calls in the right time around the boost charge period and choosing the attack mode.
“So, obviously a lot of credit to them and I’m very happy to be able to give them some reward for really all the work that has been done in the past one and a half years, and the progress we’ve been able to do as a team. And I think we we’re showing that we we’re kind of making that step continuously. And obviously the next steps are going to be even harder, but today it was for us and we definitely take it. So, very very happy and especially to do it here in Monaco in front of friends and family, and nice to be back.”
The podium result marks a significant turnaround for Mahindra, who also saw Edoardo Mortara finish a strong fourth, their best team result of the season so far.
A new twist to the strategy
De Vries, who has a strong history in Monaco from his Formula 2 days, admitted that prior success at the track didn’t necessarily play into today’s outcome.
“Not at all really, I think everyone is very experienced and everyone has raced here many years, so I don’t think that’s much of a difference. But Monaco has definitely been kind to me in the past. Winning here two times in F2, and one time crashing at pit entry with Alex [Albon] fighting for the win. So, it’s been kind and it’s just a great place to be performing well, and I think I guess I like the track.”
With pit boost now becoming a regular feature of the Formula E format, De Vries made clear he’s a fan of the change, highlighting the shift in race dynamics it brings.
“I’m personally a strong advocator for it because we just have less energy saving, and it becomes more a race on pace even though, you know, in the beginning we still try to under-consume and build a buffer. But it’s just more a race on merit. And if you look at Miami basically you do 15 race laps of racing without really racing, so I personally, I’m a strong advocate for it, and if not, then we just need more energy to have less saving.”
As Formula E leaves the glamour of Monaco behind, De Vries and Mahindra will be looking to carry the momentum forward, with their sights now set firmly on building consistency and closing the gap to the championship leaders.
