Shanghai E-Prix: Timings, ways to watch, and more

Vyas Ponnuri
May 29
6 min read

Updated: Jul 7

Written by Vyas Ponnuri

Formula E heads to shiny Shanghai for its latest double header, the third in a sequence of the championship’s very own ‘triple header’ weekends. Although the spotlight will be on the Shanghai International Circuit, an eyebrow might be raised towards Formula E’s infamous silly season gathering momentum by the week.

Shanghai hosts rounds 10 and 11 of Formula E in 2025 | Credit: Formula E

Although not official, rumblings of a major driver transfer appear to be on the cards heading into Formula E’s Chinese round. Nick Cassidy could potentially be expected to depart the Jaguar entity at the end of 2025, adding to the exodus at Jaguar’s stable. The Kidlington-based outfit is experiencing its worst campaign in several years, holding on to eighth in the standings on 58 points.

Returning to a familiar venue of success might revive some enthusiasm to a team running short on it. Perhaps, it might even offer the opportunity to last year’s Shanghai winner Mitch Evans to net what could only be his second points finish of 2025. A strange fact to say, given the New Zealander’s traditionally consistent seasons from the past.

However, season 11 has been nothing ever close to the traditions. Rookies have sprung to the fore (Looking at you, Taylor Barnard), Formula E’s ‘OG’ starcast have found ways to overcome their droughts and experience success, and several variables thrown into the picture (a la Pit Boost, AWD, extra power) and a dose of attrition has meant every team on the grid has found themselves on the podium in 2025.

An unprecedented wave of dominance by Oliver Rowland has already sparked talks if his present campaign remains comparable across championships, be it stateside to the likes of Álex Palou’s ongoing IndyCar campaign, or Max Verstappen’s indomitable 2023 F1 season.

Comparisons have arisen on Rowland's defining 2025 campaign | Credit: Simon Galloway/LAT Images

Another line of chatter has begun to find out how early the Nissan man can seal the title. With the numbers crunched, Rowland would require a staggering 145-point lead to take the championship even before Formula E leaves China. A more realistic ask remains a 116-point lead after the Jakarta E-Prix in June, with two double headers remaining.

All these factors have meant Formula E’s season 11 could be heading into uncharted territory, with Rowland’s dominance headlining a series of feel-good stories. Mahindra’s return to the podium, Dan Ticktum spearheading Cupra Kiro’s rise, Barnard’s record-shattering campaign, and Sébastien Buemi returning to the top of Monaco’s podium remain among the headline-shattering stories.

With all the twists and turns of Formula E’s 11th season unravelling new stories at every step, there’s no doubt the Shanghai International Circuit will certainly lend us plenty more to talk about. Being only the second purpose-built calendar to host a race this season, there’s no doubt drivers will be itching to go for it around the 1.896 mi (3.051 km) long circuit, and further their 2024 campaigns.

Despite on-track action expected to be at a high, plenty could be expected to unravel off the racing track too, with Formula E’s silly season expected to kick off anytime now, adding yet more spice to what has already been an exciting season so far.

Championship standings ahead of the Shanghai E-Prix weekend

Drivers’ standings

Oliver Rowland (Nissan) - 161 points

Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) - 84 points

António Félix da Costa (Porsche) - 73 points

Taylor Barnard (McLaren) - 69 points

Jake Dennis (Andretti) - 56 points

Constructors’ standings

Nissan - 172 points

Porsche - 157 points

Mahindra - 99 points

McLaren - 90 points

DS Penske - 89 points

The track layout

Track layout for the Shanghai E-Prix | Credit: Formula E

It’s a familiar venue, isn’t it? Yes, the first few corners of the racetrack are reminiscent of none other than the Grand Prix layout for F1’s annual Chinese Grand Prix outing.

The familiar winding right-handers of turns 1 and 2 will once again test the drivers and the peak grip of the Hankook tyres on the Formula E cars. Turn 3 could be expected as a pinch point, given the placement of the attack mode zone on the outside of turn 2.

Another major overtake zone could be into the turn 6 hairpin. With attack mode stronger this year due to the AWD and the extra power output, the run down to this corner could prove even more interesting and one to look out for.

The sweeping turns 7 and 8 might not encourage much overtaking, but the variance from the F1 circuit might entice some moves into the right-left chicane of turns 10 and 11, at the end of a straight. With reprofiled kerbs, it will bring down the rate of incidents at the chicane, as drivers wouldn’t be able to skip over the grass and cut the corner.

The final right-hander of turn 12 takes the drivers back onto the main straight and across the line for a lap of the Shanghai E-Prix layout. With several overtaking zones and a wider track, expect much more side-by-side battling and overtaking from drivers during the double header.

Timings for the weekend

Round 10:

FP1: Friday, 30th May - 16:00 - 16:55 (08:00 - 08:55 GMT)

FP2: Saturday, 31st May - 08:00 - 08:55 (00:00 - 00:55 GMT)

Qualifying: Saturday, 31st May - 10:20 - 11:43 (02:20 - 03:43 GMT)

Race: Saturday, 31st May (29 laps) - 15:05 - 16:00 (07:05 - 08:00 GMT)

Round 11:

FP3: Sunday, 1st June - 08:55 (00:00 - 00:55 GMT)

Qualifying: Sunday, 1st June - 10:20 - 11:43 (02:20 - 03:43 GMT)

Race (28 laps): Sunday, 1st June - 15:05 - 16:00 (07:05 - 08:00 GMT)

Notes for the race weekend

Attack mode is situated on the outside of turn 2

New kerbs have been installed in the turns 10, 11, 12 complex

Pit Boost will be used in Round 10 on Saturday

Major storylines ahead of the Shanghai E-Prix

Can Ticktum build on his success in Shanghai? | Credit: Simon Galloway/LAT Images

Will Oliver Rowland continue his utter dominance in Season 11? - The man from Barnsley has been the undisputed leader of the pack in season 11, his form in double headers reading P2, P1, P1, P2, P2 and P1 in 2025. With Shanghai’s double header being the third on the trot, all eyes will be on Rowland and Nissan to see if they can continue their momentum.

Will Ticktum and Cupra Kiro build on Tokyo success? - One of the biggest stories emerging from Tokyo proved to be the resurgence of Cupra Kiro, with Dan Ticktum taking his and the team’s maiden podium in round 9. This comes after a series of points scores in 2025. If Ticktum continues his charge in Shanghai, he can emerge a strong contender for best of the rest behind Rowland in season 11.

Will Evans recover from Tokyo horror show? - It was a forgettable weekend in the Big Sight Centre for Jaguar’s Mitch Evans, who continues to go without a point since the Mexico City E-Prix weekend. Evans failed to start round 9, with a qualifying crash rendering his Jaguar unable to start the race. It remains to be seen if the Jaguar man can find his form around a venue of past successes.

McLaren and Mahindra are in a close battle for third in the standings | Credit: Simon Galloway/LAT Images

All eyes on constructors’ mid-table scrap for supremacy - While Nissan and Porsche are in their own private duel for the overall spoils, the battle for third is tantalisingly poised, with Mahindra on 99 points only 28 points ahead of Maserati in seventh. Points swings in Formula E can be massive, and the Indian manufacturer cannot afford a weekend similar to Tokyo in a rejuvanating season for the team.

Will more driver market swings prevail in Shanghai? - While reports of Cassidy’s decision to leave Jaguar haven’t been confirmed, it could kick off driver activity, signalling the start of Formula E’s infamous silly season. Do keep an eye for more news on driver moves for season 12 potentially announced during the weekend.

Drivers to watch out for

Both Porsche drivers will be ones to watch out for in Shanghai | Credit: Alastair Staley/LAT Images

Taylor Barnard: The young Briton has been adding record after record to his repertoire, as he goes about a season for the ages for McLaren. An impressive recovery to the podium headlined his Tokyo weekend, and Barnard will be looking to build on it heading into Shanghai.

Oliver Rowland: You may not find words to describe his campaign so far. Rowland’s season has been all about ticking off milestones and boxes, something he did in Tokyo and Monaco. A Shanghai win would be the next on the championship leader’s list.

Pascal Wehrlein, António Félix da Costa: The Porsche pairing, comprising world champions, have failed to build on their strong start to season 11. Their form in double headers has been patchy, with both drivers alternating in the points in Jeddah, Monaco and Tokyo. A consistent Shanghai weekend will go a long way in aiding their quest for a maiden constructors’ championship.

Dan Ticktum: Often an animated personality on the radio, Ticktum has thrived in the Cupra Kiro set up, with a Porsche powertrain in his Formula E machine. The fiery Briton has enjoyed a strong run of form in Monaco and Tokyo, and will be only looking to build on that into Shanghai.