Mega Crash, Drama, Speed and a Podium for Citroën
The opening two rounds of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship began in dramatic fashion — with jaw-dropping overtakes, scary crashes, and a fresh new team on the podium that already has the paddock buzzing. Not sure who decided to schedule the season opener on the same weekend as the 2025 F1 finale, but for anyone left watching the Season 12 opener in São Paulo, the E-Prix absolutely delivered.
⚡ GEN4 / GEN3 Evo Tech: The Car Makes the Race
One of the biggest talking points heading into Season 12 is the continued evolution of the race cars — now running the latest GEN3 Evo chassis. The GEN3 Evo remains the fastest-accelerating single-seater approved by the FIA, rocketing from 0–60mph in just 1.82 seconds. The updated Hankook iON tyres now deliver up to 10% more grip while using 35% recycled materials, and it’s clear the cars are built for more aggressive wheel-to-wheel racing. That raw speed and grip paid off almost immediately: the São Paulo E-Prix featured over 200 overtakes, a testament to how much closer and more intense the racing has become.
Sao Paulo Round 1: Chaos, Strategy — and a Crash for the Ages
From the moment the lights went out, the action was non-stop. Jake Dennis (Andretti) — inheriting pole position thanks to a grid penalty for Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) — didn’t just hold the lead; he played the long game, saving his energy and deploying his final ATTACK MODE late in the race. Meanwhile, the field split into two tactical groups: those who had used ATTACK MODE and those who hadn’t, setting up a second-half sprint that felt more like a chess match than a race. Then came the heart-stopping moment: rookie Pepe Martí’s huge crash — barreling over the back of Antonio Félix da Costa’s Jaguar, flipping through the air, and rolling across the tarmac. Spectacular, terrifying — and thankfully, Martí walked away unharmed. The result: a late red-flag, a one-lap shootout to the finish… and roaring fans.
The Top 3: Winners, Comebacks & Surprises
- 1st – Jake Dennis (Andretti): He became the first driver in history to win the São Paulo E-Prix from the front of the grid. Given the chaos, the tyre wear and the strategy shifts, that’s no small feat.
- 2nd – Oliver Rowland (Nissan): Starting all the way down in 13th, Rowland sliced through the pack — a powerful recovery and a strong statement he’s still a championship contender.
- 3rd – Nick Cassidy (Citroën): What a story. Cassidy climbed from 15th on the grid to claim Citroën Racing’s first-ever Formula E podium with a late-race ATTACK MODE surge. “Very very happy for everyone in our team… to start with a podium is the best thing,” he said after the race.
Cassidy’s podium is more than just a result — it’s a statement that Citroën’s Stellantis powertrain, nascent but promising, can compete out of the box. That bodes well for the rest of Season 12.
What This Means for Season 12
If São Paulo was any indication, we’re in for one of the most unpredictable and aggressive seasons in Formula E history. Between rapid, nimble GEN3 Evo cars with lightning-fast acceleration and sticky Hankook tyres, over 200 overtakes in a single race, bold strategies with ATTACK MODE timing, and dramatic crashes (thankfully without serious injuries) — the racing has never looked so electric. And while we wait for Round 2 in Mexico City, all I can say is: buckle up. If the rest of the season delivers even half of what we saw in Brazil… we’re in for a wild ride.
Click HERE for Full Season Opener Results
IMAGES: FIA ABB Formula E
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