If you’re like us, you’ll want to do a sit-down marathon and watch them all from start to finish. But if you’re looking for some instant classics, your fellow Formula E fans have got your back.
We asked you on social media, which races from the nine seasons of the all-electric championship were their favourites, and here are their answers. Let us know if you think we’ve missed any out, or if you agree with the list! Goes without saying, there’s going to be a few spoilers ahead.
Season 7 - Monaco
We’ll start with a popular answer for Formula E’s best race. Racing on the full circuit layout for the first time in the iconic Monte Carlo principality, this race had it all. Season 6 champion Antonio Felix Da Costa claimed victory in this absolute classic with an audacious overtake at the exit of the tunnel on the final lap of the race for the win. However, he wasn’t the only one making serious moves, as there were 28 overtakes between the top six runners alone and almost 150 position changes across the entire grid. Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans also made us all hold our breath as he snatched the lead in an outrageous overtake up Beau Rivage on Lap 18.
Season 5 - Mexico
Looking for the most dramatic end to a Formula E race? Look no further than the 2019 Mexico City E-Prix. Pascal Wehrlein, then with Mahindra Racing, achieved his maiden Julius Baer Pole Position in his first season in Formula E. He led the pack away, until a crash on the third lap halted proceedings for half an hour with all drivers involved thankfully unhurt. Over the rest of the race, Wehrlein kept things under control, however his usable energy looked tight with five laps to go. He was forced to drive much more conservatively in order to reach the chequered flag, which allowed Season 3 champion Lucas di Grassi to close up. Heading into the final lap, almost 40,000 fans saw the most dramatic finish in Formula E history, with Wehrlein running out of usable energy after the final turn – allowing di Grassi to slip by right as they crossed the line.
Season 2 - Punta del Este
Formula E headed back to Uruguay, at a race track right next to the coast. The track was a big challenge for drivers, with plenty of them being caught out over the weekend. Dragon’s Jerome d'Ambrosio started on pole, and managed to hold on to the lead for the first third of the race, but there was one man hunting him down: Sebastien Buemi. The Renault driver started from fifth, but was flying up the order in one of his most dominant performances. The pit stops threw up plenty of drama as drivers made their mandatory car swaps, but things got even more interesting when a radio miscommunication allowed Lucas di Grassi to creep up behind leader Buemi with just over ten laps to go - the hunt was on!
Season 9 - São Paulo
The inaugural Sao Paulo E-Prix was the third new location in three races for Formula E. Despite a slow start to his defence of his world title, Stoffel Vandoorne qualified in pole position. An eventful start to the race saw Vandoorne keep the lead, but energy concerns saw him enter ATTACK MODE before dropping down the pack to maintain energy and attack later. Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy fought his way to the front, but it was fellow New Zealand compatriot Mitch Evans who took the lead on lap 32. A final lap shootout - a common occurrence throughout Season 9 - saw Evans cling on to victory!
Season 5 - Paris
Envision Racing’s Robin Frijns got his maiden Formula E win by navigating insane wet weather conditions to become the eighth different winner in eight races in 2019. The race started behind the safety car, but once things got going polesitter Oliver Rowland struggled in the conditions and crashed from the lead. His Nissan e.Dams teammate Buemi suffered a puncture, handing the lead to Frijns but the Dutchman still had to reach the finish line. Spins and shunts resulted in four full course yellows and another safety car in the championship’s first-ever wet race! Definitely one you can’t miss, if you ask us.
Season 6 - Berlin
This race was the sixth and final event in nine days, as Formula E raced around the Tempelhof Airport during the global pandemic. Although the championship had been wrapped up by Antonio Felix da Costa two races prior, there was still a lot to play for as the grid had one final outing that season. Stoffel Vandoorne started on pole, and converted it into a maiden win for the Mercedes-Benz EQ team with teammate Nyck de Vries also making it a 1-2 result for the German manufacturer on home soil.
Season 2 - London
If you’re looking for a dramatic season finale, this could be the one for you. Sebastien Buemi and Lucas di Grassi went into the London finale in Battersea park, both with a shot of leaving the champion. However, there could only be one. Swiss star Buemi was lined up on pole alongside his teammate Nico Prost with title rival di Grassi directly behind him in third. As soon as the lights went out, the Brazilian closely followed the Renault pair for the first two corners, before making a move on Prost colliding straight into Buemi at Turn 3. The shock was felt across the paddock, as both cars limped back to the pits with a new goal - secure the point for fastest lap. In the end it was Buemi who claimed the fastest lap of the race and earned the points needed to become the Formula E champion.
Season 3 - New York City
So, this one might be cheating as it’s two races, but fans also listed Formula E’s first visit to the Big Apple as their favourite races. Briton’s Sam Bird did the double when he won both races in Brooklyn, becoming only the second driver in the championship to do so. Although Bird’s rookie teammate, Alex Lynn, took pole position for his first-ever Formula E race, Bird managed to take the lead from lap 16 and held on to claim victory. The following day Bird, then racing for DS Virgin, performed the perfect qualifying lap to secure pole, but had a fight on his hands with the Mahindra of Felix Rosenqvist during the race’s opening laps. Executing a perfectly judged move in front of the packed grandstands, Bird converted his P1 into a back-to-back win.
