Maximilian Günther made a last minute move on Oliver Rowland to clinch a thrilling Formula E victory at the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix 2025.
The race held on February 14, 2025 at the picturesque Jeddah Corniche Circuit showcased an exhilarating blend of strategy, skill, and high-stakes competition among the world’s top electric racing drivers.
DS Penske’s Maximilian Günther started the Jeddah E-Prix 2025 race from pole position after a stellar qualifying performance where he clocked a time of 1:14.911, edging out reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein.
As the lights went out, Günther made a flawless start, maintaining his lead into the first corners while Nissan’s Oliver Rowland and McLaren’s rookie Taylor Barnard battled closely behind him.
The early laps saw Günther establish a comfortable gap, but the dynamic nature of Formula E soon turned the race into a tactical battle.
The introduction of the ‘Pit Boost’—a mandatory pit stop allowing cars to recharge their batteries rapidly—added an exciting layer of strategy to the race. Each driver had to navigate this new element carefully, balancing speed with energy management.
While Günther initially led the Jeddah E-Prix race comfortably, he lost several positions during the pit stop phase as other drivers took advantage of their energy deployment strategies.
Rowland and Barnard capitalized on this moment, moving ahead as Günther adopted a more conservative approach to conserve energy for a late-race charge.
As the race progressed, it became clear that energy management would play a critical role in determining the outcome. Rowland found himself in a strong position leading into the final laps, but Günther’s patience began to pay off.
By lap 27, he had regained momentum and set the fastest lap of the race, showcasing his determination to reclaim his place at the front. With just a few laps remaining, Günther’s energy advantage became apparent as he closed in on Rowland.
In a dramatic Jeddah E-Prix race finale that would be remembered by fans and competitors alike, Günther executed a perfectly timed maneuver on the last lap. Approaching the final chicane, he seized his opportunity to overtake Rowland with precision and skill.
The last-minute move not only secured him victory but also marked his first win with DS Penske since joining the team.
After crossing the finish line, Maximilian Günther expressed his elation: “This means everything to me. It’s my first win with my new team. We lost quite a few places around the pit stop window, but we just stayed calm and did our race.”
Rowland finished just behind in second place, reflecting on his performance with mixed emotions.
Although disappointed not to secure victory after leading for much of the race, he acknowledged that he had executed their race plan well and was pleased to take valuable points that moved him to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings with 43 points.
Completing the Jeddah E-Prix podium was McLaren’s Taylor Barnard who delivered an impressive performance in only his third Formula E race.
Starting from fourth on the grid, Barnard showcased remarkable pace and composure throughout the event. His third-place finish not only highlights his potential as a rookie but also solidifies McLaren’s competitive presence in the 2025 Formula E championship.
Nyck de Vries from Mahindra Racing finishing in fourth place after a strong showing, followed by Jake Hughes of Maserati in fifth. Jean-Eric Vergne and Edoardo Mortara from DS Penske and Mahindra respectively rounded out the top seven positions.
Notably absent from higher placements was Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa who had been leading the championship prior to this event but struggled to recover from starting in thirteenth position; he ultimately finished ninth.
Meanwhile McLaren’s Sam Bird took eighth while Maserati’s Stoffel Vandoorne rounded out the top ten.
