The 2025 Formula E Round 11 at the Shanghai E-Prix unfolded under extraordinary and challenging conditions, as torrential rain disrupted the schedule and forced Race Control to adapt on the fly.
The race start itself was delayed by an hour and a half, with drivers cautiously navigating a slick and spray-filled track behind the Safety Car. Once the rolling start was given, strategic early deployments of ATTACK MODE shaped the race’s dynamics, sparking intense battles throughout the field. Despite the testing conditions and tactical complexities, Cassidy led from start to finish, showcasing remarkable skill and control.
Cassidy on pole after Group A triumph
The starting grid for the 2025 Formula E Shanghai E-Prix Round 11 took shape under extraordinary circumstances, as torrential rain and deteriorating conditions led Race Control to cancel the Duels and rely solely on Group Stage results to determine the lineup. Consequently, Jaguar TCS Racing’s Nick Cassidy, who triumphed in Group A with a commanding 1:31.305, secured pole position. Alongside him, António Félix da Costa claimed the front row for Porsche by setting the fastest time in Group B before worsening weather forced an early end to the session.
RACE UPDATE:
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) June 1, 2025
Updated start at 14:05 local time, subject to track inspection.@Hankook_Sport #ShanghaiEPrix pic.twitter.com/4FPmPxZNO9
Just behind, Pascal Wehrlein and Lucas di Grassi filled the second row, having delivered consistent performances in their respective groups. Furthermore, Maserati’s Jake Hughes and DS Penske’s Jean-Éric Vergne locked out row three, both demonstrating pace despite challenging visibility and surface grip. In the fourth row, Nyck de Vries of Mahindra and Stoffel Vandoorne of DS Penske capitalised on others’ misfortunes to advance. Maximilian Günther and Nico Müller completed the top ten. Meanwhile, rookies and veterans alike scattered throughout the midfield, with Zane Maloney and Robin Frijns lining up eleventh and twelfth, respectively.
Mitch Evans and Taylor Barnard occupied row seven, while Edoardo Mortara and Sam Bird followed in row eight. At the rear, Oliver Rowland and reigning champion Jake Dennis faced setbacks and started from seventeenth and eighteenth. Finally, Dan Ticktum, Sébastien Buemi, Norman Nato, and David Beckmann rounded out the grid, having endured spins, gravel excursions, and multiple red flags during a qualifying session defined by extreme weather and unpredictability.
A delayed start to the race amid challenging conditions
Like the Qualifying session before it, the Formula E Round 11 Race at the Shanghai E-Prix got off to a delayed start. Due to heavy rain around the Shanghai International Circuit, Race Control announced that the start of the race had been pushed to 14:05 local time, subject to track inspection.
RACE UPDATE:
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) June 1, 2025
Updated start at 14:05 local time, subject to track inspection.@Hankook_Sport #ShanghaiEPrix pic.twitter.com/4FPmPxZNO9
An hour and a half after the scheduled time, the 2025 Formula E Round 11 Race in Shanghai finally got underway behind the Safety Car, marking the final session of the weekend. After hours of torrential rain, the weather appeared to have settled, although the threat of further showers lingered. Drivers cautiously navigated the still-wet track, contending with heavy spray and the risk of aquaplaning. The first two laps behind the Safety Car passed without incident, followed by several more as Race Control assessed whether a standing start was feasible.
The rolling start and early ATTACK MODE strategy
After seven laps behind the Safety Car, Race Control authorised a rolling start. As the green flag waved, Nick Cassidy launched off the line and immediately deployed his ATTACK MODE, seeking to gain early advantage. He was joined by António Félix da Costa, Pascal Wehrlein, Jake Hughes, Jean-Éric Vergne, Nyck de Vries, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Maximilian Günther, all opting for an early deployment to maximise pace. Lucas di Grassi initially resisted using ATTACK MODE but, after dropping to P6 behind Hughes and Vergne, he eventually followed suit. Drivers further down the field also adopted similar strategies to improve their positions.
Mid-race battles and tactical moves
On Lap 10, Tag Heuer Porsche executed a team order, switching positions between Wehrlein and da Costa to have Wehrlein chase Cassidy from P2. Wehrlein responded immediately, closing in on Cassidy, while de Vries suffered an aquaplaning moment into the gravel but managed to recover to P9. Two laps later, Günther utilised ATTACK MODE to overtake di Grassi for P6, soon followed by Müller who claimed P7. Di Grassi faced pressure from Vandoorne as they battled for P8, while Cassidy had established a lead of over five seconds by Lap 14. The top ten settled into Cassidy, Wehrlein, da Costa, Hughes, Vergne, Müller, Günther, di Grassi, Vandoorne, and Maloney.
Closing stages and late overtakes
By Lap 16, de Vries challenged Maloney for P10, eventually succeeding and joining the battle for P8 with di Grassi and Vandoorne. However, lacking remaining ATTACK MODE, de Vries struggled to maintain position against rivals holding pit boosts. On Lap 18, di Grassi deployed ATTACK MODE for a final push towards Müller. Meanwhile, Günther was shown the black flag with an orange disc for a technical infringement but did not pit, eventually retiring by pulling into an escape road, causing a yellow flag at Turn 10.
In the final laps, several drivers near the rear deployed ATTACK MODE to gain positions, with Barnard making notable progress. Cassidy, leading by nine seconds, used ATTACK MODE himself to extend his advantage. Maloney, also in ATTACK MODE, chased de Vries for the last points position but was eventually overtaken by Barnard on Lap 28. Bird and Vandoorne both spun, with Bird dropping several places while Vandoorne managed to hold position. Rowland overtook Bird and Evans on Lap 30 to reach P13, but his teammate endured a difficult race, finishing last.
Cassidy dominates despite wet weather
Ultimately, Nick Cassidy led every lap and claimed a commanding victory, finishing ahead of Wehrlein in second place. António Félix da Costa completed the podium, followed by Hughes in fourth and Vergne in fifth. The race proved a testament to driver skill and strategic acumen in extremely challenging and unpredictable conditions.
Full results after the 2025 Formula E Round 11 Race at the Shanghai E-Prix
- N. Cassidy
- P. Wehrlein
- A. da Costa
- J. Hughes
- J. Vergne
- N. Müller
- S. Vandoorne
- R. Frijns
- L. di Grassi
- T. Barnard
- Z. Maloney
- N. de Vries
- O. Rowland
- M. Evans
- D. Ticktum
- S. Bird
- J. Dennis
- S. Buemi
- E. Mortara
- D. Beckmann
- N. Nato
- M. Günther (DNF)
