Feature by Robin Goodwin
The São Paulo E-Prix has already delivered legendary drama from the last three trips to the Brazilian city, from incredible last-lap overtakes to awesome last-to-first victories. Before we get ready for the 2025/26 season-opener, it's time to take a trip back down memory lane and relive the best moments from the iconic Anhembi Sambadrome circuit!
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Jaguar's podium clean sweep
A race of attrition that saw a handful of drivers take the lead of the race, but it was dominance plain and simple for Jaguar power. The inaugural São Paulo E-Prix saw Stoffel Vandoorne driving for DS PENSKE as the then-reigning champion led the pack of the line, with plenty of lead changes, but Jaguar TCS Racing's of Mitch Evans and Sam Bird, along with the Envision of Nick Cassidy, were too much to hold back.
As Sam Bird picked off his rivals and worked his way into third, the British driver joined the two jostling Kiwis ahead of him, and it came down to the final lap and the final corners as Evans held off Cassidy to win in São Paulo.
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Bird's last lap winner
A move that's been forever immortalised, setting up a pass around the outside to grab the inside line at the final corner. Now with NEOM McLaren, Sam Bird saw the pass attempted but not completed the year before, and went for it this time, picking up McLaren's first-ever victory in Formula E and taking the legendary papaya to the top step of the podium.
Evans dives to the lead at Turn 1
The Sambodrome is used to some toe-tapping of a different kind with floats and dancers aplenty. Still, Mitch Evans brought some familiar motorsport entertainment into the first corner with a late braking move to take the lead of the race in the closing stages from Cassidy.
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Rowland 2-4-1 to the podium
A move that was almost missed as all of our focus was on the squabbling ahead, Oliver Rowland was able to sneak through and pass two at the final corner with an opportune move up the inside. The Nissan driver collected third place as Pascal Wehrlein and Jake Dennis were having their own tussle for the final spot on the podium just ahead of him.
Evans takes the lead at the chicane
A major braking point off the back of the first quick straight on the lap, Evans took the lead with a decisive move, or so he thought...
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Rowland beats Dennis by 0.001s
Duels have made qualifying incredibly close, as drivers face off to set the best time, and we've seen close battles to progress right here in São Paulo. It doesn't get much closer than when Rowland went up against Jake Dennis to make their way through to the final; the Nissan driver set a 1:09.905, beating his compatriot by a millisecond.
Barnard's first podium in Formula E
A debut podium is something to savour, but to achieve it in your first race as a full-time driver, and break into the record books as the youngest podium finisher in Formula E history, is something of a feat. That's exactly what Taylor Barnard did after graduating to a full-time drive with NEOM McLaren for Season 11.
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The now 21-year-old Brit had just made it to his twenties and set off with an immediately impressive drive. After picking up an early drive-through penalty for a power spike in his Nissan-powered machine, he climbed back through the order and made it onto the podium with some late race moves.
Wehrlein beats Vandoorne to pole
Vandoorne chased Wehrlein's time down and got ahead by a fraction, but the German held strong, taking back the advantage slightly. While the Belgian pushed on in the black and gold DS PENSKE machine, he was just shy of the TAG Heuer Porsche by an incredibly close two thousandths of a second!
...and Wehrlein takes pole yet again
Into the GEN3 Evo era, and Wehrlein made it through to the final of the Duels yet again, but this time with AWD to go along with the 350kW.
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The reigning champion went up against Rowland, who's also quick around this circuit. Still, the German held off the advances of the Nissan driver to take his second Julius Baer Pole Position in São Paulo. A perfect start; however, it didn't quite go to plan for Wehrlein, as his race ended in a scary crash in the closing stages - thankfully, the German was okay, with the halo again showing its value.
Evans goes from last to the win
22nd to first, repeat that, last to the win. Seems inconceivable in this day and age of motorsport, but it's just what Evans and Jaguar TCS Racing achieved in Sao Paulo, to start Season 11 and the all-new GEN3 Evo in fine form.
Turning bad fortune to something fortunate, and with the way his season went, all in the first race! Evans was left right down the order after some misfortune in qualifying with a technical problem, but starting last, he made up a handful of positions in the very first lap, and from there right into the points.
Making his way to the lead group, and a win in sight, Evans was in the lead when that accident between his teammate and Wehrlein happened. After the restart, he had to hold off the intentions of Antonio Felix da Costa but was able to cross the finish line first and set a new record in the process.
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2025 São Paulo E-Prix
The São Paulo E-Prix Round 1 gets underway on Friday 5 December with Free Practice 1, ahead of race day on Saturday 6 December. Make sure you don't miss a moment, as we get ready to kickstart Season 12 with one of the best races of the year.
Join us for the 2025 São Paulo E-Prix and the start of the 2025/26 season. The Anhembi Sambodrome is sure to showcase plenty of overtakes and excitement on the track, and there will be a host of events away from all the racing action. Tickets are on sale now. Starting at R$149.50, with a discounted rate for concessions, there’s also the Solidarity Ticket available upon donation to our chosen charity. Get your seat before it sells out!
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