In a thrilling start to the 2024-25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans made history by overcoming the odds after starting from the back of the grid to ultimately claim victory at the São Paulo E-Prix.
The race not only marked the debut of the GEN3 Evo car but also showcased the unpredictable and chaotic nature of Formula E racing, with a staggering 111 overtakes and several dramatic incidents that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The São Paulo E-Prix race began under a cloud of uncertainty for Mitch Evans who had suffered a series of setbacks during the weekend including a powertrain issue in practice and a brake system failure that prevented him from setting a qualifying time.
As a result, he was forced to start from 22nd position. However, what seemed like a dismal start quickly turned into an opportunity for redemption as he navigated through the field with skill and determination.
From the moment the lights went out, it was clear the São Paulo E-Prix race would be anything but ordinary. Oliver Rowland, driving for Nissan Formula E Team, got off to an impressive start quickly overtaking pole sitter Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche).
Rowland led the pack as they jostled for position through the tight corners of the circuit. Evans demonstrated his racing prowess right from the first lap, making significant gains and climbing to 15th place within moments of the start.
The early laps of the São Paulo E-Prix race were characterized by fierce competition and strategic maneuvering. Drivers utilized their ATTACK MODE boosts judiciously, which now featured four-wheel drive capabilities alongside the traditional power boost.
This new element added a layer of complexity to race strategies and allowed drivers like Evans to capitalize on their opponents’ decisions.
As Rowland maintained his lead, other contenders like Antonio Felix da Costa and Jake Dennis began to mount a challenge for the top spot. However, it was not long before the race saw the first major disruption on Lap 9 after Jake’s car suffered a technical failure, necessitating a Safety Car deployment.
This incident allowed drivers to regroup and reassess their strategies and when racing resumed, Rowland continued to lead but faced increasing pressure from Dennis and Wehrlein, who were both eager to make their mark in the Formula E season opener.
As the São Paulo E-Prix race progressed, it became evident that energy management would play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Rowland’s early ATTACK MODE usage positioned him well initially, but as he continued to defend his lead, he fell victim to energy depletion concerns.
Meanwhile, Mitch Evans strategically held back his ATTACK MODE activation until later in the race, allowing him to gain crucial positions as competitors began to exhaust their energy reserves.
The race saw more chaos on Lap 21 when a collision between Wehrlein and da Costa resulted in Wehrlein’s car flipping over after contact with Nick Cassidy. This incident led to another red flag as emergency crews attended to Wehrlein, who fortunately emerged unscathed.
The subsequent restart saw Evans in prime position to capitalize on the turmoil surrounding him. With just four laps remaining after the final restart, the Jaguar TCS driver found himself at the front alongside da Costa and McLaren’s Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird.
As they raced toward the finish line, Mitch Evans faced intense pressure from da Costa, who was determined to reclaim control after losing ground during earlier incidents. However, Evans displayed exceptional composure under pressure, expertly managing his energy while fending off attacks from behind.
The final laps of the São Paulo E-Prix race were a nail-biting affair as da Costa attempted to find a way past but was ultimately unable to overcome Mitch Evans’ defensive driving. In the closing moments, it was clear that Evans had not only overcome his earlier misfortunes but had also executed a masterclass in race strategy and resilience.
Crossing the finish line first marked not only an incredible personal achievement for Evans but also positioned him at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings for this season.
Meanwhile, Barnard’s performance was particularly noteworthy; starting from 17th position, he showcased exceptional skill throughout the São Paulo E-Prix race and ultimately finished third, becoming the youngest driver ever to stand on a Formula E podium at just 20 years old.
Sam Bird finished fourth while Edoardo Mortara was fifth for Mahindra Racing, with team-mate Nyck de Vries sixth. Sebastien Buemi was seventh ahead of Dan Ticktum in eighth for Cupra Kiro while Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne rounded-up the top 10.
