Formula E preview: Tokyo E-Prix - Timings, ways to watch and more
- Vyas Ponnuri
- 37 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Written by Vyas Ponnuri
The 2024-25 Formula E season hits the halfway mark as it heads to the eastern hemisphere for its latest outing in Tokyo. Just like the Monaco E-Prix, this weekend's Tokyo E-Prix too runs as a double header, following a successful inaugural event in season 10.
It's no secret to hear how Tokyo has been on the Formula E wish list for almost a decade. The Japanese capital remained a contender to host the all-electric racing series right from its first season back in 2014. Plans were on to host a race in the bustling city by as early as 2013.
While the Japanese capital would receive only a single race in 2024, this was initially a move by Formula E 'to gauge interest' and explore if the Tokyo E-Prix could make for a longer fixture on the calendar. Years of planning and weaving around Japan's intricate bureaucracy and political procedures had finally helped Formula E achieve what they termed one of the holy grails on the calendar.
And perhaps it was too good to simply be a one-off event. The sheer success and manner in which the event attracted celebrities stood out. Pundits too talked up the event, making it explicitly aware that Formula E was, in fact, in Tokyo. Another factor contributing to the 20,000-strong audience at the venue was the E-Tokyo Festival, themed around sustainability and zero-emission technologies in the capital city.
Not to forget the celebrities in town, with each one of them adding to the event's success with their presence. While former F1 and IndyCar racer Takuma Sato aided with promotional efforts, Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda was in attendance at the Tokyo E-Prix, while Sung Kang (or Han Lue, his screen name in the Fast and Furious franchise) was given a tour of the Formula E paddock.
In addition, Liberty Walk, known for their famous body kitted car modifications, prepared a custom liveried Formula E car, the colour scheme steeped in Japanese history, in the backdrop of the glitzy Tokyo skyline. It all made for a very welcoming sight for Formula E in Tokyo, making for a comfortable and seamless integration.
Much like other Japanese circuits, the Tokyo E-Prix circuit too proved technical for the drivers, featuring several testing sections and corners for the drivers. The race, in itself, proved exciting, with Oliver Rowland keeping Nissan's dreams of a special home victory alive for three-quarters of the race.
The fervour around Nissan's home event added another layer of excitement to the weekend, with Rowland delivering on home soil with a runners-up finish, in front of the top brass from the Japanese manufacturer's headquarters down the road in Yokohama. Perhaps, with both Rowland and Nissan riding a wave of unprecedented success in 2025, hopes of a home victory remain as ripe as ever.
With all these factors coming together to deliver Formula E an unforgettable experience, the Japanese megalopolis has been rewarded a double-header, allowing Formula E to soak in the special Tokyo atmosphere for an extra day.
This weekend's pair of races could be heavily affected by the weather, once again. With Pit Boost once again featuring in round 8 on Saturday, and attack mode expected to spice up proceedings, the contingent of 22 drivers will certainly be in for an exciting weekend of racing — although one overwhelming favourite remains.
Drivers championship standings heading into Tokyo:
Oliver Rowland (Nissan) - 115 points
António Félix da Costa (Porsche) - 67 points
Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) - 66 points
Taylor Barnard (McLaren) - 54 points
Nyck de Vries (Mahindra Racing) - 52 points
Constructors' championship standings heading into Tokyo:
Porsche - 133 points
Nissan - 126 points
Mahindra Racing - 91 points
DS Penske - 76 points
McLaren - 70 points
Track layout for the weekend
Racetracks in Japan have always had a habit of testing the drivers. Be it the renowned Esses of Suzuka, or the winding 100R and the Hairpin corners in Fuji, or the twin racetracks in Motegi, each track has always emerged a drivers' favourite.
The 2.575 km (1.6 mi) Tokyo E-Prix circuit is set on the city's streets, in the backdrop of the Big Sight Convention Centre. While it has faced its limitations compared to permanent road courses when it comes to planning and design, the circuit tested drivers and their skills in 2024.
Among the notable sections is the run down to turn 3, a short burst over the down ramp, a section of track that briefly sent cars airborne, and even caused underbody damage to cars during sessions.
With attack mode situated on the outside of the 180-degree turn 4 left-hander, it will certainly make the following sequence of corners a pinch point for drivers, and potentially allowing for wheel-to-wheel battling along this section.
While the circuit proved difficult to overtake around in 2024, the introduction of all-wheel-drive and extra power in attack mode should aid overtaking around the venue in 2025. Once again, the chicane of turns 10 and 11 would be the prime overtaking spot to watch, coming at the end of a brace of straights.
The removal of a chicane on the run to turn 17 for a flowing left-hander of turn 16 could make the former an overtaking spot to watch out for, with cars speeding along the Big Sight Convention Centre on the run down towards the Tokyo Bay.
With rain set to play a factor in the weekend's running, expect slippery conditions, and drivers tiptoeing around the faster sections of track in the latter stages of the lap. However, in the dry, expect cars to regularly hit unprecedented speeds in the Japanese capital. An exciting series of races beckon.
Timings for the weekend - track time (GMT)
Round 8
Friday, 16th May, 2025
Free Practice 1: 16:00 - 16:55 (07:00 - 07:55)
Saturday, 17th May, 2025
Free Practice 2: 08:00 - 08:55 (23:00 - 23:55, previous day)
Qualifying: 10:20 - 11:43 (01:20 - 02:43)
Main Race (35 laps): 15:05 - 16:00 (06:05 - 07:00) featuring Pit Boost
Round 9: Sunday, 17th May, 2025
Free Practice 3: 08:00 - 08:55 (23:00 - 23:55, previous day)
Qualifying: 10:20 - 11:43 (01:20 - 02:43)
Main Race (32 laps): 15:05 - 16:00 (06:05 - 07:00)
Important Notes
Tokyo will host a double header for the first time in FE history,
Only one change to the track - Chicane replaced by flowing left hander down to turn 17
Nissan will be sporting a special cherry blossom livery for their home event
This is also the home event for Lola's technical partner Yamaha
Drivers to watch out for
Oliver Rowland: It simply would be fitting to kick off this section by mentioning a man who will be on every fan's radar this weekend: Oliver Rowland. With further spotlight on Nissan from their passionate home fans and the top brass, the championship leader would be buoyed to build on his incredible season, and add a special feather to his crown by winning in Tokyo, in front of the home fans, making up for the miss in 2024.
Nyck de Vries: The Dutchman's stellar weekend in the Principality boosted his and Mahindra's position into the top five in both standings. Using his years of experience, de Vries executed a clean weekend to grab Mahindra's first podium in over two years, in round six. Replicating a similar showing in Tokyo would go a long way towards boosting his and Mahindra's confidence a long way in season 11.
Edoardo Mortara: Mahindra's position in the top three of the championship standings has been cemented thanks to the consistent scores of de Vries' teammate Edoardo Mortara. Season 11's nearly-man, the Swiss racer backed up his teammate's podium by snatching fourth on the line from Nico Müller's Andretti. Mortara would be aiming to make up for the events of last year's Tokyo E-Prix, when he slid down to sixth after qualifying an excellent third, before being disqualified for using excessive energy during the race.
António Félix da Costa: The Portuguese racer couldn't capitalise on a mixed up order in Monaco, crashing out at Anthony Noghes corner in round 6, losing out on valuable points. While he finished fourth in round 7, the events in Monaco left the Porsche man a whopping 48 points behind Rowland in the standings. Being his closest contender, da Costa knows he must leave no stone unturned, in a bid to spark any hopes of a championship battle in season 11.
Sam Bird: Monaco was a disillusioned weekend for both Bird and teammate Taylor Barnard. Both drivers were mired in crashes in both races. As for the veteran Briton, a qualifying shunt in the wet at Sainte-Devote left him nursing the McLaren in round 7, as he eventually finished dead last. Bird would want to put the debacle of Monaco behind, and a good showing in Tokyo would only do good to McLaren's championship cause in their final Formula E season.
Major storylines for the Tokyo E-Prix weekend
Can Rowland take home glory for Nissan in Tokyo? - As the weekend rolls again, eyeballs will turn towards Rowland and Nissan. All eyes will be on the Briton, as he will be eager to deliver an emotional home victory for Nissan at their home victory, and extend his scorching run of form in 2025.
Will McLaren bounce back after difficult Monaco weekend? - As mentioned above, Bird and Barnard both struggled all weekend, with Barnard sliding down the order after nabbing pole around the streets of Monaco. The papaya team will be itching to get back into the points with a solid showing in the bustling Tokyo city streets.
Will Gen3 Evo cars overtake more frequently around Tokyo? - One of the biggest talking points from the inaugural Tokyo E-Prix was the difficulty in overtaking for the Gen3 cars. However, with the increased power output and all-wheel-drive on offer, it will be interesting to track how this aids overtaking around the circuit.
Mortara contributed to Mahindra's stellar Monaco haul | Credit: Ryan Fleming Can Mahindra build on Monaco podium finish? - Perhaps the team to walk away from Monaco with the widest smiles, Mahindra Racing accumulated their highest weekend tally in the Gen3 era at Monaco, scoring 40 points. Observers would be keen to see how the Indian manufacturer fares around another street circuit, with mixed conditions forecast once again.
Could rain play a factor in the weekend's racing? - Speaking of the conditions, rain is predicted for both races of the Tokyo E-Prix weekend. A 100% chance of rain is forecast for round 8, with the barometer pointing towards unsettled weather, and blustery winds on Saturday. With marked criticism over the performance of the Hankook tyre in the wet, it will be interesting to see how drivers tackle the Tokyo E-Prix in the rain.
How to watch the Tokyo E-Prix double header live?
You can watch the Tokyo E-Prix racing action live, full details here.
Weekend Predictions
Being a double header, I expect a similar variance in results as I had predicted for Monaco.
For round 8, I predict Rowland to deliver a stellar showing in front of Nissan's home crowd, taking yet another race victory. Joining him on the podium would be Mortara and da Costa, marking a podium of drivers redeeming themselves from last year's races.
For the second race of the weekend, I expect a new winner, with de Vries taking victory for Mahindra for the first time since London 2021. Rowland, being his ever-consistent self, will finish on the podium again, while Nick Cassidy will take a podium in what has become his recent home race.
Do tune in for an exciting weekend of racing action!
