![Race | FE | Round 9 | Tokyo E-Prix | Rowland wins in Japan [Photo Credit: Simon Galloway/LAT Images for Formula ]](https://fastestformulanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SG2_6856_p4heC4yz_20250517112821-2048x2048-1.jpg "Race | FE | Round 9 | Tokyo E-Prix | Rowland wins in Japan")
After an almost calm start into Round 9 of the Formula E Tokyo E-Prix, qualifying did not disappoint. Chaotic groups stages saw crashes in both.
The Duels were just as exciting, as drivers clipped the barrier during the Quarter Finals. While the semi-finals could be described as calm, compared to the stages before, Oliver Rowland and Dan Ticktum made it into the final.
Though it looked like Ticktum would gain his first pole position, Rowland took home pole after Ticktum hit the barriers.
Mitch Evans was declared out of the race, due to heavy damage to his car after he hit the wall during the group stages in qualifying. With 21 cars lined up on grid ahead of the second race during 2025 Formula E Tokyo E-Prix.
Clean start at the Formula E Tokyo E-Prix
With a clean start, Rowland stayed in front. In the middle of the pack was some contact, though there weren’t many changes in the grid order. Frijns was given a 10-second stop-and-go time penalty, because he couldn’t serve the 20-place grid drop after Envision fitted a new MGU to his car.
Ticktum was still right behind Rowland, as Hughes took his first Attack Mode deployment. With Wehrlein right behind Ticktum, and the rest of the pack close together, it stayed exciting until the end of the race.
Stewards kept busy during Tokyo E-Prix
Edo Mortara, receives a A black and white flag for weaving under braking, while Sam Bird and Nyck de Vries are under investigation for causing a collision. With Ticktum going trough Attack mode, he was set to overtake Oliver Rowland that did not go through.
On Lap 8, Ticktum overtook Rowland, and was now the leader of the Formula E Tokyo E-Prix. Behind him, there was contact between Barnard and Rowland, as Barnard overtook Rowland. This led him to fight Ticktum for the lead.
Nyck de Vries got a black and white flag for causing a collision. With Wherlein in second and in Attack Mode, Ticktum needed to put energy into keeping his lead.
Full Course Yellow with 20 laps left
Even though Rowland slipped back into P4, he was the only driver in the top 10 with both Attack Mode deployments left. This could help him in the end, as there were still 20 laps to drive, or more if there should be a need to add laps.
A full course yellow is deployed, because of debris on the track. Nyck de Vries’ front wing flew off his car, after a collision with Sam Bird on lap one. Meanwhile, Antonio Felix Da Costa needed to stop the car as he had an issue with the front suspension.
At a clean restart, Ticktum stayed in front of Wehrlein.
Rowland’s Attack Mode strategy during the race in Tokyo
Though almost half of the race was complete, Rowland did not take any of his Attack Mode deployments. He comfortably sat in P4, and could take advantage of this. The Energy levels at the front, are very similar, as Wehrlein overtook Ticktum and now leads the Formula E Tokyo E-Prix.
Rowland took his first Attack Mode deployment, placing him P6, as Cassidy also went through Attack Mode. Though Nissan and Rowland hoped that the late Attack Mode usage would give them an advantage. At this stage, it seemed to be the complete opposite, as he was stuck in P6.
Norman Nato received a 5-second time penalty for speeding under the Full Course Yellow. Due to attack mode, Jake Dennis was able to fight his way up to P6. With still an Attack Mode deployment left, Dennis is now fighting for a podium. A positive outcome for him and Andretti after an unlucky start of the Tokyo E-Prix.
Attack Mode deployments through the front of the grid
With 10 laps left, Rowland went through Attack Mode for the second time, to regain his lead from the start. Though that being said, Rowland needed to use this time to overtake if he wanted to fight for the win.
As an answer to Rowland’s Attack Mode, the top three and cars behind Rowland went through Attack Mode to be able to fight with him. As the drivers at the top fight for first place, Ticktum got more energy left in third. When the two in front of him should start fighting, he could use this extra energy to put himself higher on the grid.
With no Attack Mode left, Wherlein tried to fight off Rowland’s overtake. While Rowland still had some time left with Attack Mode, he went back in front and regained his lead.
Safety Car caused a late chance for the drivers behind Rowland
Though being in Attack Mode, Mortara failed to overtake Barnard. Barnard overtook Ticktum shortly after, as there was contact between Rowland and Wehrlein. With only three laps left, Barnard is in the wall as the drivers in front fought for P1.
Due to Barnard hitting the wall, a safety car was deployed, just as the Race directors announced there won’t be laps added. Dennis back in P4 after he gained ten positions during the race. Rowland, still in front, Wehrlein and Ticktum, rounded out the podium at this point.
Uneventful restart with Rowland coming up in lead and Ticktum claiming his first podium
With one lap left to go, the Safety Car went back in the pits and the track was clear again. Rowland set the pace in the lead, while Wehrlein and Ticktum tried to overtake. Though, Ticktum had to keep an eye out for Dennis behind him, as he was getting close.
Oliver Rowland took home his fourth win of Season 11 after an exciting race, shortly followed by Pascal Wehrlein and Dan Ticktum. This is Ticktum’s first podium in Formula E.
Classification:
- Oliver Rowland
- Pascal Wehrlein
- Dan Ticktum
- Jake Dennis
- Lucas Di Grassi
- Jean Eric Vergne
- Nick Cassidy
- Sam Bird
- Sébastien Buemi
- Maximilian Günther
- Nico Müller
- Edoardo Mortara
- David Beckmann
- Zane Maloney
- Nyck De Vries
- Robin Frijns
- Norman Nato
- Jake Hughes
- Taylor Barnard (DNF)
- Stoffel Vandoorne (DNF)
- Antonio Felix da Costa (DNF)
- Mitch Evans (DNS)
