Vandoorne Masters Tokyo Rain
FormulaE in Tokyo:Rain,Strategy,and a Triumphant Win for Vandoorne
Tokyo hosted the eighth round of the Formula E season, delivering a dramatic race weekend shaped by challenging weather conditions and strategic gambles. A torrential downpour on Saturday morning forced the cancellation of qualifying, with the starting grid determined by the results of Free Practice 2. This worked in favor of Nissan's Oliver Rowland, who secured pole position — the team having anticipated the weather and prioritized strong lap times in practice.
Due to the wet track, the race began behind the safety car — a fully electric Porsche Taycan. After four laps, the field was released for a standing start. Rowland maintained his lead, while Sébastien Buemi expertly used Attack Mode to move into second place. Taylor Barnard, despite a crash during Friday’s session, held firm in the top three, showcasing impressive maturity and pace.
Drama struck on lap 13 when Max Günther’s DS Penske came to a halt on track, prompting red flags. During this neutralization, Stoffel Vandoorne (Maserati) was the only driver to complete the mandatory Pit Boost — a short stop for rapid battery recharge — a move that would prove decisive.
Following the restart, the race resumed at full speed. As the surface dried and energy consumption dropped, most drivers began to make their Pit Boost stops. With his earlier stop complete, Vandoorne surged into the lead uncontested. Even a spin in Turn 2 didn’t prevent the Belgian from regaining control and preserving a comfortable advantage.
To compensate for laps completed under the safety car, race control extended the total race distance. The closing stages turned into a high-speed sprint, with Rowland and Barnard attempting to close the gap to Vandoorne. However, the Maserati driver held firm to secure his first victory since 2022.
Rowland crossed the line in second, further extending his lead in the drivers' championship. Barnard completed the podium — his fourth top-three finish of the season.
