The FIA has overturned Sébastien Buemi’s five-second time penalty from the 2025 Jakarta E-Prix, officially reinstating him as the third-place finisher in a rare and dramatic post-race reversal. Buemi had initially dropped to eighth after receiving the in-race penalty at the Jakarta E-Prix, but Envision Racing’s successful petition for review prompted the FIA to re-examine the incident. The Stewards ultimately concluded that neither driver bore predominant responsibility, clearing Buemi of any fault and removing both the time penalty and accompanying penalty point.
Roll-hoop footage key to reversal
The original decision accused Buemi of causing a collision with Mortara’s Mahindra at Turn 13, a potential breach of Article 16.1(d) of the 2024/25 FIA Formula E Sporting Regulations. Although Envision protested immediately after the race, the appeal only proceeded once the team submitted a formal petition for review within the 96-hour deadline, based on the discovery of a significant and relevant new element—the roll-hoop camera footage from above Buemi’s helmet.
This new angle had been unavailable at the time of the original ruling but became the central piece of evidence during a remote hearing held between Envision Racing, Mahindra Racing, both drivers, FIA Stewards, and Jakarta driver advisor Alex Yoong.
The stewards reviewed both the original footage and the new onboard view during the hearing. According to the official decision, Buemi argued that the new element showed his overtaking manoeuvre was legitimate, that he remained in control, and that when contact occurred, he was fully alongside Car 48. Mortara agreed and added that he “barely felt the contact.”
After hearing both sides and reviewing the new footage, the Stewards concluded that “no single party bears whole or predominant responsibility for the collision.” As a result, they reversed Decision 12, removed the five-second time penalty and the penalty point, and decided no further action was required.
Revised classification impacts Drivers’ and Teams’ standings
With the penalty rescinded, Buemi regains third place in the final classification, securing his second podium of the season after his win in Monaco. The result also moves him from 12th to 10th in the drivers’ standings, while Envision Racing jumps ahead of Cupra Kiro into ninth in the teams’ championship.
The amended classification has consequences for others as well. Nico Müller, who had initially been classified third following Buemi’s penalty, loses what would have been his first podium of the season for Andretti. He drops to fourth in the revised results.
FIA confirms decision and next steps
The FIA stated that it would reallocate official trophies and issue an amended final result in due course. While Mahindra remains eligible to appeal the reversal, the team is not expected to pursue further action.
