Race | FE | Round 8 | Tokyo E-Prix | Vandoorne wins after 49 races

After qualifying was cancelled today due to heavy rain, Race 8 of the Formula E Tokyo E-Prix started with a short delay.

The starting grid was formed by the results of FP2. Although the Tokyo E-Prix allows drivers to use a Pit Boost window, it was uncertain whether the race would start.

Though the weather didn’t look promising, the drivers got into their cars, regardless of concerns. After final practice was rained off, Race Control was determined to get the race in Tokyo underway.

As the delayed start got nearer, the weather seemed to clear up. This brought hope, that the first Race of the Formula E Tokyo E-Prix was going to start if the conditions won’t change again. Though, the start procedure was shortened, as the drivers made it to the grid and stayed in the cars.

Given the soaked track, the decision was taken to start the race behind the Safety Car.

Start under the Safety Car

After 3 laps behind the Safety Car, it was clear that there was going to be a standing start for the Tokyo E-Prix. In Lap 4, the Safety Car was pulled back out and the drivers lined up on grid to wait for Lights out.

With the Andretti’s making their way to the back of the grid, the race finally got underway. Rowland got a good start as the drivers went through the first corner.

Some of the drivers went through Attack Mode early, to get an advantage as they can use more energy.

First attack mode deployments

With more drivers following with taking Attack Mode, they fought to stay on the track as it was very slippery. Down the grid from 15th downwards, the cars waited to go through Attack Mode. They could use that as an advantage later on in the race.

Buemi now up to second place, it was unclear if his early Attack Mode was going to pay out in the end or if it was too early to take it. It was getting clear that his early Attack Mode made him vulnerable to the drivers who took their Attack Mode later. He was overtaken by Mortara shortly after.

As Barnard used his Attack mode, he made a risky move in Turn 16, which put him in front of Nyck De Vries. With Rowland still in front, he did not take attack mode in Lap 11, as he tried to make the gap between him and Mortara in the Tokyo E-Prix, to keep his position.

Vandoorne pitted first and used the pit boost window. This early pit stop could give him an advantage as he could use it during the other drivers use their pit boost. With De Vries being in the pit boost window, we had a yellow flag as Maximilian Günther could not drive further on.

Red Flag on lap 13

The Race was red flagged as Günther’s Car stopped, the car showing a red light to indicate it was live. Thankfully, the car went green again shortly after the red flag. It was unclear if the race will be restarted with a standing start or behind a safety car.

Vandoorne had to be updated to the same lap count as the other ones on the grid. After that, Race Control gave the cars the 5 minute signal to queue up behind the Safety Car.

While Vandoorne already used his pit boost window, he gained an advantage after the restart.As he could gain positions while the rest of the pack doing their Pit stop.

Restart under the safety car

The race resumed after a short delay behind the Safety Car once again. Rowland still had both attack modes to take. This could put him at a disadvantage as he needed to rebuild his lead.

It was side-by-side action at lights out and through the first corner, but there were no incidents, with Rowland still out in front. As he was down the grid in 21st position, Dennis used his pit stop window and attack mode to give him an advantage further on.

Though, this pit stop could give him a penalty, as he pitted while the pits were closed. Meanwhile Evans took his last attack mode to gain positions back.

While the drivers started to use their pit boost window, Rowland took his first Attack Mode. He managed to build up a gap between him and Mortara, to take his pit boost without losing his position.

With the track drying up, there was contact between Evans and De Vries. Though Evans hit the wall, there was no yellow flag, as Evans could drive on.

Black Flag for Dennis

Jake Dennis was handed a black flag for pitting while the pit lane was closed. This meant that Race 8 of the Formula E Championship was done for the Briton. However, the replays showed there was no red light to be seen at the pit lane entry.

With Dennis now out of the race, 20 drivers were still out for the win. Rowland managed to build up his advantage up front. While, Ticktum set a lap that was 3 seconds faster than those of the other drivers.

Rowland and Mortara now in the pits, Buemi could take over the lead. Followed shortly by Dan Ticktum. Though Ticktum and Müller in third did not have an Attack Mode deployment left.

Fight for the top

With Buemi now in the pits, Ticktum took over the lead, with Müller and Wehrlein behind him. With Evans now out of the race, as he had to retire his car due to the hit from De Vries on lap 13.

Ticktum was now in the pits, the last ten laps started. As Wherlein and Cassidy still didn’t pit. Wehrlein also dived into the pits, just as Sam Bird was handed a 5-second penalty for not following race directions.

With Vandoorne spinning his car, Rowland could minimize the distance to the lead. Though Vandoorne now took his last Attack Mode, the distance between those two will grow again. Meanwhile, Rowland still had an Attack Mode deployment to take, as he was followed by Taylor Barnard.

Last 5 laps

With 10 drivers still having to take an Attack Mode deployment, the results of this race are still unclear. As Mortara took his last 6 minutes of attack mode, he tried to overtake Barnard. Although Rowland was now in second, he tried to challenge Vandoorne for the win.

With only 3 laps left plus three laps added to the count, there were still drivers that need to go through Attack Mode. With Mortara having problems, Buemi overtook him and now fights for the podium.

Even Ticktum got close to Mortara, though he is not in attack mode like Mortara in front of him. The last few laps of the Tokyo E-Prix brought out some fights for the top places.

Last lap

With Vergne and Frijns fighting for P9, the energy levels in front started to drop. Vergne put himself in P9 with an audacious move. On the last lap, Vandoorne was still in the lead, it looked like he would stay there. As he had an 11-second gap to Rowland in second.

Rowland, now under attack by Barnard, needed to let go of Vandoorne, so he wouldn’t lose his second place. With only 0.2% left, Rowland came home in second with Barnard in third. Stoffel Vandoorne won the 2025 Formula E Tokyo E-Prix. His first win since Monaco 2022.

Classification

1. Stoffel Vandoorne
2. Oliver Rowland
3. Taylor Barnard
4. Sebastien Buemi
5. Dan Ticktum
6. Edoarto Mortara
7. Antonio Felix Da Costa
8. Nyck De Vries
9. Jean Eric Vergne
10. Robin Frijns
11. Nick Cassidy
12. Nico Müller
13. Pascal Wehrlein
14. Sam Bird
15. Norman Nato
16. Zane Maloney
17. Lucas Di Grassi
18. David Beckmann
19. jake Hughes
20. Mitch Evans (DNF)
21. Jake Dennis (DSQ)
22. Maximilian Günther (DNF)