Lucas di Grassi produced one of the greatest comeback drives in Formula E history, charging from 19th on the grid to win the second race of the Shanghai E-Prix double-header and end a four-year victory drought.
The 41-year-old Brazilian mastered changing track conditions and executed a bold strategy to secure his first Formula E victory since London 2022. The win also marked the maiden triumph for the Lola Yamaha team, making the result even more memorable.
Jean-Éric Vergne finished second after starting near the back of the grid, while Joel Eriksson completed an unlikely podium in third, capping a race dominated by remarkable recovery drives.
Pascal Wehrlein, who led the opening stages after his victory in Saturday’s race, slipped to fourth as the circuit dried and conditions increasingly favoured drivers on dry setups. Despite missing out on the podium, the Porsche driver emerged as the biggest winner in the championship battle.
Title rival Mitch Evans was unable to start the race because of a technical issue with his car’s DC/DC inverter, allowing Wehrlein to move to the top of the standings with 141 points. Evans now trails by nine points with only three races remaining, while reigning champion Oliver Rowland sits third on 114 points after finishing eighth.
For di Grassi, the victory was especially emotional. The Formula E pioneer described it as a full-circle moment, having also won the inaugural Formula E race in China in 2014. His latest success made him the oldest race winner in Formula E history and reinforced his reputation as one of the championship’s most accomplished drivers.
With the championship entering its decisive phase, Wehrlein holds the advantage in the title race, while di Grassi’s unforgettable comeback has added fresh excitement heading into the final rounds of the 2025-26 Formula E season.
Discussion about this post