The 2025 Formula E season kicked off with an exhilarating São Paulo E-Prix, where Jake Dennis emerged victorious in a race that will be remembered not just for the competition, but also for a terrifying incident involving rookie driver Pepe Marti.
Dennis, driving for the Andretti team, took the checkered flag, prompted by a series of strong maneuvers throughout the race. "It feels amazing to start the season with a win in São Paulo. The team did a fantastic job, and I'm just so grateful for the hard work everyone has put in," said Dennis after the race.
However, the day was not without its peril. The highlight for most may have been Dennis’s triumph, yet the paddock was left reeling after Marti's horrifying crash. The Cupra Kiro driver lost control, colliding with two other cars and resulting in a barrel roll that left his vehicle in tatters. This shocking moment led to an immediate red flag as medical teams rushed to the scene to ensure the safety of all involved.
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Reigning world champion Oliver Rowland managed to secure second place, a commendable finish as he strategized his way through the aftermath of the crash. "It was definitely a tough race today, but I'm happy to walk away with points. That crash could have been worse, and I’m just glad everyone is alright," said Rowland.
Nick Cassidy, making his debut with Citroën, rounded out the podium in third. "To step onto the podium in my first race is surreal. I just tried to keep my head down and focus on my race, and somehow here we are," Cassidy remarked, highlighting the whirlwind of emotions that come with a first race.
Finishing just outside the top three was Pascal Wehrlein, who took fourth place with a steady performance for Porsche. "Consistency was key today. I’m looking forward to building on this in the next rounds," Wehrlein stated,
Felipe Drugovich, a Brazilian driver regarded as the home hero, managed to recover from a disappointing qualification to finish fifth, only to be penalized post-race, which ultimately dropped him to 12th. "It's tough to have a great comeback and then have that happen, but I will keep my head up. We have a long season ahead," Drugovich said, acknowledging both the frustrations and the positives of his race.
The race results clearly reflected the chaos that ensued, with a total of seven drivers unable to finish. Among them was Marti and established names like Jean-Eric Vergne and Mitch Evans, who also fell victim to a challenging day on the circuit.
Here's how the top finishers concluded the race:
| Pos. | Driver | Nat. | Team | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Jake Dennis | GBR | Andretti | | 2 | Oliver Rowland | GBR | Nissan | | 3 | Nick Cassidy | NZL | Citroën | | 4 | Pascal Wehrlein | DEU | Porsche | | 5 | Nico Müller | CHE | Porsche | | 6 | Maximilian Günther | DEU | DS Penske | | 7 | Joel Eriksson | SWE | Envision | | 8 | Sebastian Buemi | CHE | Envision | | 9 | Nyck de Vries | NED | Mahindra | | 10 | Zane Maloney | BRB | Lola Yamaha ABT | | 11 | Antonio Felix da Costa | PRT | Jaguar | | 12 | Felipe Drugovich | BRZ | Andretti |
In a sport defined by speed and agility, the São Paulo E-Prix made it clear that safety is of paramount importance. As the racing season progresses, teams will look to both fine-tune their strategies and assess the implications of today’s events.
The outlook for the season remains promising as teams pivot their focus to upcoming races, eager to capitalize on their performances and reassess their approaches following thrilling yet challenging races like this opener.
