How the Teams' battle unfolded in Season 8, and how Mercedes-EQ broke clear

With Mercedes-EQ dominating the Formula E headlines with another double title win, it’s possible to overlook the efforts from the other top teams in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. With another season put to bed, we reflect on the best efforts and finest moments from the runners up and beyond.

ROKiT Venturi Racing: 2^nd

Despite being one of the only privateer teams in the championship, ROKiT Venturi Racing came painfully close to landing top spot in Season 8. Under CEO Susie Wolff and Formula E racer turned Team Principal Jerome d'Ambrosio, the Monaco-based team managed to collect 295 points, rounding off the season just 24 points behind champions Mercedes-EQ. Comfortably taking second place in the standings, the team benefited from the strength of the Mercedes powertrain but also from the blistering pace and unrivalled experience of its two drivers, Edoardo Mortara and Lucas di Grassi.

Mid-way through the season, it was revealed that Maserati would be joining the championship and, given the strength of Venturi’s performance early on, it’s no surprise why the legendary Italian marque picked the privateer team as its partner ahead of its first race in the Gen3 era. 

Getting off to a great start, Mortara secured second in Round 1 before both drivers made the podium in Round 2, hauling in 40 points. Leaving Saudia Arabia with 50 points, another 10 points in Mexico followed before the squad dropped into single figures point-scoring. Breaking back on to the top step of the podium come Round 7, Mortara managed to win from Julius Baer Pole Position, bringing in another 28 points. Rounds 9, 10 and 11 saw the team storm on as more points rained down but it was Round 12 and 13 that was Venturi’s undoing, with the team raising just four points collectively in both rounds. Despite a valiant effort from di Grassi and Mortara in the final three rounds, the break in Venturi’s dominance allowed closest rivals Mercedes-EQ to slip past in the standings and march on to victory in Seoul.

Busy preparing for its next assault as Maserati, the entry will be looking to make an impression in the new Gen3 era. Time will tell if the new partnership will be enough to clinch the Teams’ World Championship in 2023.

DS TECHEETAH: 3^rd

Once the dominant force in Formula E, DS TECHEETAH landed the Teams’ title in both Season 5 and 6. Through Season 8, the French team struggled to keep pace with the might Mercedes-EQ and its ruthless powertrain - as well as Vandoorne's peerless consistency. Yet, the squad still had a solid campaign in 2021/22, marked by a particularly prosperous mid-season points haul. Between Round 3 and 10, the team hauled in 191 points, with each driving landing Julius Baer Pole Position and second place in Jakarta (Round 9) and Marrakesh (Round 10), raking in 66 points from just two races.

Another win from da Costa in New York City put them on a competitive title trajectory, alas DS TECHEETAH's performance was no match for Mercedes' or Venturi's haul come the final in Seoul. 

Jaguar TCS Racing: 4^th

While Seoul spelled heartbreak for Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans, who just fell short of stopping Mercedes-EQ’s Stoffel Vandoorne from taking the Drivers’ title in the final round, Jaguar ended the season fourth in the standings. Just missing out on a podium place to DS TECHEETAH, the British marque enjoyed one of its best seasons yet, largely thanks to the handiwork of its frontman Mitch Evans and the leadership of Team Principal James Barclay. Scoring 13 points in Round 1, the British team hit a rough patch in Round 2 and 3. Soon after, Jaguar bit back as Evans took two back-to-back wins in Rome, with both drivers scooping up 60 points in the process.

Evans continued to lead the way until his valiant attempt to take the title in the final round in Seoul proved unsuccessful. Despite his best efforts, it wasn’t enough to guarantee Jaguar a place on the Teams’ Championship podium, especially with seasoned pro Sam Bird missing the final two races due to a injury.

Settling for fourth overall, the team will be back with its Gen3 challenger and both Evans and Bird for its sixth season in the all-electric series.