FE | Tokyo E-Prix | Race 2 | Rowland wins on home soil, while Ticktum earns maiden podium - Motorsport

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Oliver Rowland delivered a stunning performance to win Race 2 of the Tokyo E-Prix, making a daring move around the outside of Pascal Wehrlein to take victory in front of Nissan’s home crowd. The British driver had dropped down the order in the early stages but recovered brilliantly to claim his first win of the 2025 Formula E season.

The podium was completed by Dan Ticktum, who secured his maiden top-three finish in the championship after a dramatic late-race incident eliminated Taylor Barnard from contention. Barnard, who had climbed impressively through the field, crashed out with just a few laps remaining.

Prior to the race, it was confirmed that Jaguar’s Mitch Evans would not be taking the start following a heavy crash in qualifying, leaving only one Jaguar on the grid.

Race 2 of the FE Tokyo E-Prix starts

Rowland retained the lead off the line, while ERT’s Dan Ticktum had to immediately defend his position on the front row. Barnard, starting from ninth for NEOM McLaren, made a lightning start and climbed into sixth.

Envision Racing’s Robert Frijns received a 10-second time penalty and headed for the pits early on, while Maserati’s Jake Hughes was the first to trigger Attack Mode on Lap 4, albeit from 15th position.

Several midfield runners, including Nyck de Vries, Maximilian Günther, and Sébastien Buemi, followed suit a lap later. Barnard activated his Attack Mode soon after, briefly dropping to seventh before recovering to fifth.

The lead pack quickly responded with their own energy boosts, but Rowland notably stayed out, conserving both of his full eight-minute Attack Modes.

Ticktum capitalised on Rowland’s decision and moved into the lead on Lap 8. Barnard, meanwhile, climbed to third and overtook Rowland before his Attack Mode expired. Rowland fell to fourth, behind Wehrlein, who soon muscled his way past Barnard.

At this stage, Rowland remained the only driver in the top 10 yet to use any Attack Mode, a strategic decision that would prove pivotal.

Wehrlein hits the front

By Lap 12, the FIA deployed a full-course yellow after de Vries left his front wing on the track following a late lunge on Sam Bird. The Dutchman was shown a black-and-white warning flag, while António Félix da Costa retired due to suspension damage after making contact with the car ahead.

Once racing resumed, Wehrlein seized the opportunity to take the lead — a move not captured on the race broadcast — as Rowland finally activated his first Attack Mode, dropping him to sixth. Cassidy, in the sole Jaguar, momentarily jumped up the order before being repassed by the Nissan.

Rowland’s first boost was relatively unproductive, as he narrowly avoided contact with Edoardo Mortara and lost ground overall. He fell to sixth once more, while Norman Nato received a five-second time penalty.

Jake Dennis, utilising his Attack Mode, climbed to fifth, then passed Mortara for fourth on Lap 21. A lap later, Rowland took his second Attack Mode and made quick work of both Mortara and Dennis.

With the top three activating their final Attack Modes shortly thereafter, Rowland found himself in second place, with Wehrlein just ahead. Jean-Éric Vergne had also made steady progress, climbing to fifth with clever strategy as Mortara and Dennis slipped down.

Rowland’s brave overtake seals victory in Race 2 of the FE Tokyo E-Prix

The race reached a crescendo on Lap 25 as the battle for victory intensified. Ticktum still had a slight energy advantage over Wehrlein and Rowland, but the latter was charging.

Using the last of his Attack Mode, Rowland launched a sensational move around the outside of Wehrlein, who squeezed him against the wall. Against all odds, Rowland held firm and took the lead with just a few laps remaining.

Barnard, fending off pressure from Mortara, was holding strong in fourth. However, disaster struck on Lap 29 when contact from the Swiss driver broke Barnard’s suspension, sending the McLaren into the barriers and ending his impressive drive.

Ticktum, who had already overtaken Barnard, reclaimed third place before the Safety Car was deployed. Mortara was subsequently given a five-second penalty for the incident, ruling him out of a top-five result.

With one lap remaining, the Safety Car pulled in, setting up a one-lap dash to the chequered flag. Hughes triggered a late Attack Mode, but the order at the front remained unchanged.

Home victory for Nissan

Rowland held off a final charge from Wehrlein to win by a narrow margin, delivering Nissan a hugely popular home victory. Ticktum crossed the line in third, claiming a well-earned first podium in Formula E.

Behind the top three, Vergne finished fourth, followed by Dennis and Mortara — the latter dropping down the order due to his time penalty.

Rowland’s daring overtake and masterful use of Attack Mode strategy cemented one of the most memorable wins of the season so far and offered Nissan the perfect reward in front of their home fans.