Stoffel Vandoorne Wins Rain-Soaked Tokyo E-Prix 2025 as NEOM McLaren and Nissan Shine
Tokyo, Japan – May 17, 2025: Maserati MSG Racing’s Stoffel Vandoorne claimed victory in a dramatic, rain-soaked Round 8 of the Tokyo E-Prix 2025, marking his first win since Monaco in 2022. Vandoorne’s strategic mastery and bold decisions propelled him to the top step of the podium, with Nissan’s Oliver Rowland and NEOM McLaren’s Taylor Barnard completing the top three.
A Strategic Masterstroke for Vandoorne and Maserati MSG Racing
The wet conditions on the streets of Tokyo made for a chaotic race, but it was Maserati MSG Racing’s bold strategy that proved decisive. Vandoorne and his team opted for an aggressive approach, burning through their energy early to enable an early PIT BOOST stop. This strategy paid off perfectly when a Red Flag was shown after Maximilian Guenther’s car encountered technical problems, resulting in a race reset.
Vandoorne’s early stop effectively became a “free” pit stop, allowing him to take the lead while the rest of the field was forced to pit under the reset conditions. Despite the pressure of managing his energy and maintaining his lead, Vandoorne brought his Maserati MSG Racing car home for a stunning victory.
“I’m super happy that our plan actually worked! It was a very bold and aggressive strategy decision… I knew that I would inherit the lead at some point and just had to bring it home,” said Vandoorne.
Nissan’s Oliver Rowland Extends Championship Lead
Starting from pole, Oliver Rowland of Nissan Formula E Team led the early stages of the race with impressive pace. However, the team’s strategy to pit later meant they missed out on the opportunity to benefit from the red flag reset. Despite this, Rowland finished second, maintaining his lead in the FIA Formula E World Championship Drivers’ standings.
“I felt like I got the most out of the car. I was super quick in the first half of the race. It’s just a bit frustrating, but we still got a podium,” Rowland commented.
Taylor Barnard Shines Again for NEOM McLaren
Taylor Barnard, the 20-year-old driver for NEOM McLaren, secured his fourth podium of his debut Formula E season with a brilliant third-place finish. Despite challenging conditions, Barnard made a spectacular overtake around the outside of Turn 16, showcasing his skill and confidence.
“It’s nice to be back on the podium for sure. We didn’t expect any racing this afternoon due to the weather, but it cleared enough to race, and I can’t thank the team enough,” said Barnard.
Championship Standings After Tokyo E-Prix 2025
- Drivers’ Championship: Oliver Rowland leads with a 60-point advantage, the largest margin at the halfway point of the season.
- Teams’ Championship: Nissan leads with 144 points, ahead of Porsche with 139 points.
- Manufacturers’ Championship: Nissan tops the table with 225 points, followed by Porsche with 179 points.
A Look Ahead: Round 9 of the Tokyo E-Prix
The excitement continues tomorrow with Round 9 of the Tokyo E-Prix double-header, promising another thrilling race as the drivers and teams aim for more points in the 2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Stay tuned as the world’s best electric racers battle it out on the iconic streets of Tokyo.
