Mahindra Racing claimed its first victory of the GEN3 era as Nyck de Vries drove through Monaco’s barriers to win Round 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
The Dutch driver kept his composure while others struggled around him. It’s his fifth career Formula E win and first since Berlin in 2022.
Mitch Evans from Jaguar TCS Racing finished second, jumping to the top of the championship standings with a 15-point lead over Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein.
Pepe Martí took the final podium spot after his CUPRA KIRO teammate Dan Ticktum received a post-race penalty. The 20-year-old became the first Spanish driver ever to reach a Formula E podium.
Smart Strategy Wins Over Speed
De Vries’ victory came down to energy management rather than pure pace. Starting from the front row next to Ticktum, the 31-year-old made his mandatory PIT BOOST stop early on Lap 16.
This gave him the energy reserves he needed for the final push.
Four laps later, he used ATTACK MODE to pass race leader António Félix da Costa. The Portuguese driver recently switched from Porsche to Jaguar ahead of Season 12.
De Vries pulled away from there, building a three-second gap by the finish.
“The first one for Mahindra together. It’s been a great day, the pace was there, the car was amazing and the team made the right calls at the right time,” de Vries said after the race. “We had the energy to push during the pit window and we’ve won our first race together.”
The Dutchman joined Mahindra in 2024 when the team was near the bottom of the standings. He credited the technical improvements at the team’s Banbury headquarters.
Evans Takes Championship Lead
Evans’ second place might not have been flashy, but it was crucial for his title hopes. His fifth Monaco podium in a decade with Jaguar moved both him and his team to the top of their respective championships.
Porsche now trails in the Teams’ standings.
“It was a pretty straightforward race with a few scary moments. Strategy was key today,” Evans said. “I didn’t race so well at the start, probably could have been a bit more aggressive, but the pit window worked great.”
The 31-year-old New Zealander had some nervous moments after contact during the race.
He felt the rear of his car getting loose but avoided a puncture that could have ended his day.
With Wehrlein finishing out of the points, the championship fight has shifted dramatically. Evans has dominated at Monaco before with Jaguar – and he’s showing that form again.
Historic Spanish Podium
Martí’s podium finish capped an incredible drive from 15th on the grid. He actually finished fourth on track before Ticktum’s penalty promoted him.
The CUPRA KIRO rookie didn’t even know about his podium at first.
“I didn’t know what went on. I was really happy with fourth. It hurts to see that Dan was the one to fall out of the podium, but nonetheless it’s a great result,” Martí said.
His result makes Spanish motorsport history as the country’s first Formula E podium finisher.
The performance also highlighted CUPRA KIRO’s strong weekend – Ticktum took pole position before his penalty.
F1 Stars Watch and Learn
Monaco’s E-Prix has become a major event on the international calendar. Saturday’s paddock proved that point with several Formula 1 drivers in attendance.
Carlos Sainz, Nico Hülkenberg, Ollie Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto all studied Formula E’s energy management up close.
That research should help them when F1’s new hybrid regulations arrive. The 2026 rules will split power roughly 50/50 between combustion engines and electric motors.
The celebrity guest list went well beyond racing. Actors Idris Elba and Harry Collett attended along with F1 Academy boss Susie Wolff, marathon legend Paula Radcliffe and Olympic decathlete Daley Thompson.
Formula E appears to have found the entertainment crossover its founders always wanted.
Double-Header Continues Sunday
Round 10 takes place Sunday as Monaco’s double-header concludes. Evans will try to extend his championship lead while de Vries looks to build on his first win in nearly four years.
The title race has completely changed after one afternoon in the Principality.
