Vandoorne returns to top step in rain soaked Tokyo E-Prix

Jodie Saxon
1d
4 min read

Formula E kicked off the Asian leg of season 11 today with the first of two races in Tokyo, Japan. Heavy rain throughout the day caused the cancellation of qualifying for the first time in the series’ history, leading to the results of the second free practice session being used to set the starting grid instead.

The race was delayed by 10 minutes to allow more time for the track surface to dry out, and after five laps behind the safety car the 22 drivers lined up on the grid for a traditional standing start - but this wouldn’t be the only grid start fans would see during the race, with a second coming midway through the E-Prix following a red flag.

Maserati’s Stoffel Vandoorne emerged victorious after a smart Pit Boost strategy cycled him into the lead during the latter half of the race, giving him his first win since the 2022 Monaco E-Prix, while his old championship rival Jake Dennis’ bold Boost left him disqualified.

How it happened

Five laps behind the safety car set things in motion with fans treated to gorgeous slow-motion shots of the cars rolling through puddles, then it was time to get down to business and all 22 drivers lined up on the grid for a proper standing start.

With the grid set by practice results there were several drivers out of place, including the two Andretti cars that locked out the back row while Edoardo Mortara enjoyed a front row start alongside poleman Oliver Rowland.

*The run down to turn one saw the drivers go nearly four wide! | Credit: Joe Portlock/LAT Images*

Drivers were cautious in the run down to turn one, with the only drama being António Félix da Costa’s slight contact with the rear ends of two Stellantis powered cars. Sébastien Buemi, emboldened by his Monaco E-Prix win earlier in the month, was the first to dive into attack mode on the race start, making quick use of the energy boost to power his way into the top five after just one lap of racing.

Rowland kept hold of his race lead despite the best attempts of Mortara, while McLaren’s Taylor Barnard continued his strong season by sneaking past Norman Nato and into third.

The opening portion of the race was clean and sensible with drivers cautious on the still-wet surface. Vandoorne was the first to dive into the pits for his Pit Boost on lap 11, and although it dropped him to 22nd and last the strategy quickly proved to be a masterful idea from the Maserati squad.

*The spray and standing water made for difficult conditions in Tokyo | Credit: Oscar Lumley/LAT Images*

Formula E races are never without drama and on lap 13 the red flag was flown when DS Penske’s Maximilian Günther rolled to a stop with an electrically unsafe car. The break in the running didn’t last long as Günther was able to reset his car and the marshalls able to move him to safety, and so the remaining 21 cars headed back out for another standing start.

It was at this point that there was some confusion over whether drivers would be able to re-enter the pits to take their Pit Boost instead of taking to the grid, with ex-Formula E driver Andre Lotterer explaining from the commentary booth about that being a good option for those who had yet to take the mandatory boost.

Only one driver - Jake Dennis - risked this as he had very little to lose from his last-row restarting position. It lost him less time in comparison to those who pit during green flag conditions, however it also cost him a race finish as he was disqualified only a few laps later for entering the pit lane while it was closed.

While that was happening, Rowland once again commanded the race lead from lights out with Mortara close behind and Buemi slotting into 3rd position. Further back Mitch Evans’ woes continued when he was hit by Nyck de Vries while exiting the pit lane, although both were initially able to continue the Jaguar driver dove into the pits a few laps later to retire with a gearbox issue caused by the contact.

As more and more drivers pit, it became clear that Vandoorne held the net lead of the race. The pressure briefly got to him when he spun at turn two, but he recovered cleanly and carried on building up his gap to Rowland who had since pitted and fell behind the Belgian driver.

Three laps were added to the race to make up for the earlier safety car running, an addition that was no doubt torturous to Vandoorne out in front. Rowland settled into 2nd position with Barnard following close behind, their train briefly threatened by Mortara before the Mahindra driver’s Attack Mode stopped working and he began to slip back.

Buemi was next to challenge for the top three but with energy running out he too was forced to settle for 4th, while Mortara fell into the clutches of Kiro’s Dan Ticktum who slipped into the top 5 and claimed his team’s highest finish of the season so far.

*Pit Boost in action with Nissan | Credit: Simon Galloway/LAT Images*

Vandoorne saw the chequered flag over 8 seconds before Rowland in second to take his first victory since 2022. Interestingly enough, the results of the 2024 Tokyo E-Prix also featured a Maserati driver in first (then Günther) with Oliver Rowland in second.

Despite the loss of Attack Mode at the end for Mortara, Saturday’s race proved to be another strong one for Mahindra Racing with Mortara still bringing home plenty of points, while Jaguar Racing finished yet another day with zero new points. Home heroes Nissan and Lola experienced mixed success, with only two Nissan powered cars making it into the top 10 (Rowland, Barnard), and the Lolas coming home in 16th and 17th.