Ticktum on top
After 60 career starts, Dan Ticktum can now say he’s a Formula E race winner. The CUPRA KIRO driver has been confident in his abilities since he joined the championship in Season 8, but didn’t have the machinery to back it up. Now, with a huge investment in the team ahead of the GEN3 Evo era and a Porsche powertrain under the surface, he’s been slowly building up the momentum that led to this historic victory.
A maiden podium in Tokyo was a sweet reward, but questions were still asked on if a win was on the table this season? Although it was downplayed, and Ticktum found himself in first place after a crash up front from race leaders Jake Dennis (Andretti) and Nyck de Vries (Mahindra Racing) and further technical troubles, he still put himself in the best position to benefit from any drama around him.
“The first three years [of Formula E] were pretty horrendous,” Ticktum said in the media pen post-race. “I've stuck with the team. The team has stuck by me after I've maybe shot myself in the foot a few times, and made it difficult for them to keep me, but they did.
“There's been some very strong supporters in the background, Alex Hui, Russell O’Hagan and other people have kept me around. I knew I could do this for them. I'm just very, very proud that I've been able to deliver this today, and start to consistently deliver points and good results for the team.
It’s also the first podium for the team since Season 1, when former champ Nelson Piquet Jr won for NEXTEV TCR in Moscow.
Could Rowland become champion in Berlin?
After a haul of points and podiums across the first half of the season, Nissan’s Oliver Rowland looked in a very strong place to seal the deal and take his first Formula E title. However, after dominating at the team’s home race in Tokyo, things haven’t been quite as smooth and simple since Shanghai.
A fifth place in Round 10 added 10 points to the tally, but 13th the following day in China left him out of the points. Fast forward to Jakarta, and Rowland managed to just scoop a single point after a disappointing qualifying saw him start 16th, with teammate Norman Nato getting in his way during a lap. He did fight his way up the field though, and delivered some brilliant elbows-out racing across the Jakarta race.
Thankfully for Rowland, his biggest threat to the title TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein, failed to score points in Jakarta so his lead was extended by a single point to 173 versus Wehrlien’s 103 total.
Rowland just needs an 87-point lead after the first race around Templehof in the German capital to secure the drivers’ world championship – making him the 10th different champion in 11 seasons.
Jakarta’s incredible support
Formula E’s visits to Indonesia always delivers exciting track action, in addition to a huge amount of support from fans. Packed grandstands were scattered all around the circuit this weekend, with individuals cheering on all the different teams and drivers.
Fans had been sure to make and create as much personal memorabilia too, with one fan spotted wearing a GEN3 Evo hat he’d made during the autograph session. There was also no shortage of talented artists and drawings of drivers, and plenty of love for Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries as the Season 7 World Champion has Indonesian heritage himself.
Terima kasih, Jakarta!
Familiar favourites return to the podium
As well as the first-ever win for Ticktum, two other drivers made their long-waited return to the podium this weekend.
In second place was Edoardo Mortara, who could have possibly won the race had he not taken his Attack Mode just as yellow flags were deployed for incidents with the Maserati MSG Racing duo. Going off the racing line, and then not being able to use his extra 50kW meant Mortara was forced to try and pass Ticktum in the race's final stages.
Although appearing slightly disappointed with second place, he was also aware that a podium result and even more points for Mahindra is hugely beneficial for their fight in the teams’ standings as they currently sit fifth with four rounds to go.
The other spot was reserved for Nico Mueller, his first piece of Silverware since joining Andretti, after an amazing climb from 13th on the grid. It’s a welcomed return to the top three for Mueller, who hasn’t been able to stand on the podium since Valencia in Season 7.
Teams' and Manufacturers' fight is on…
Whilst Rowland has one hand firmly on the drivers’ title, there is a bigger battle unfolding for the two other world championships. Porsche climbed past Nissan and are now 203 points to their 191 in the Teams’ standing table, but for the new Manufacturers' World Championship the roles are reversed with Nissan leading Porsche 303 to 299 with four rounds to go.
It's all to fight for between two of the world's biggest automakers, but who'll come out on top?
Find out more
CALENDAR: Sync the dates and don't miss a lap of Season 11
WATCH: Find out where to watch every Formula E race via stream or on TV in your country
TICKETS: Secure your grandstand seats and buy Formula E race tickets
SCHEDULE: Here's every race of the 2024/25 Formula E season
HIGHLIGHTS: Catch up with every race from all 10 seasons of Formula E IN FULL
PREDICTOR: Get involved, predict race results and win exclusive prizes
HOSPITALITY: Experience Formula E and world class motorsport as a VIP