In some ways, winning a race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is akin to solving a Chinese puzzle, so many are the elements that need to come together to conquer the challenge. And that is exactly what competitors will be aiming to do in Shanghai this weekend (31 May – 1 June).

The pioneering all-electric single-seater series is returning to the vibrant Asian metropolis following a successful first appearance there last year – with an action-packed double-header in prospect in the country where it all began.

BACK TO ITS ROOTS
The very first E-Prix took place in China in 2014 – a dramatic and memorable race in the nation’s capital, Beijing. Over the intervening years, the championship has gone on to visit island city Sanya and the special administrative region of Hong Kong, before debuting at the Hermann Tilke-designed Shanghai International Circuit 12 months ago.

The track’s blend of high-speed straights and tight turns generated overtaking aplenty and two compelling contests, won by Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans – following a bold last lap pass on TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein – and António Félix da Costa, marking the first of three consecutive triumphs for the Season 6 champion as he bounced back from a penalty 24 hours earlier that had cost him a top five finish. 

“We are thrilled to see the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship return to Shanghai following a fantastic first event last year,” commented Xiaoxu Zhou, President of the FIA Electric and New Energy Championships (ENEC) Commission. “As a country, China is at the forefront of the EV transition and will play a major role in the globalisation of electric vehicles, making this weekend an invaluable opportunity for Formula E and the FIA’s ENEC Commission to join forces with key players in the future of the automotive industry.”

ROWLAND REVELLING IN GEN3 EVO ERA
There is no doubt who has been the standout driver of Formula E’s GEN3 Evo era so far. With four race wins and three runner-up results from the opening nine outings of the 2024/25 campaign, Nissan Formula E Team’s Oliver Rowland is firmly in charge – holding a commanding 77-point advantage over defending champion Wehrlein at the summit of the standings.

The Briton has been on imperious form in Season 11, and was a front row starter in the inaugural Shanghai E-Prix last year, missing out on the podium by less than a quarter-of-a-second. He previously claimed his first career pole in China, in Sanya in 2019, before finding himself pipped to victory by two-time title-winner, Jean-Éric Vergne.

PORSCHE PAIR LEAD PURSUIT
With only seven rounds remaining, Rowland’s rivals know they are running out of time to reel him in – reinforcing their resolve to stop the championship leader in his tracks.

Porsche pairing Wehrlein and da Costa look to be the men most likely, with the former trying every trick in the book to overhaul Rowland last time out in Tokyo only to find his efforts repeatedly rebuffed – a disappointment that will surely spur him on this weekend.

Rising British star Taylor Barnard will be competing in China for the first time but has invariably proven to be a quick learner – and front-runner – in his maiden full campaign in the series, sitting fourth in the title table for NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. Season 9 champion Jake Dennis is one spot behind in fifth, with the Andretti Formula E ace still seeking his first win of the season.

EXPERIENCED HANDS ROLLING BACK THE YEARS
Only three drivers on the current Formula E grid were similarly in the field on day one just over a decade ago – McLaren’s Sam Bird, 2015/16 title-holder Sébastien Buemi (Envision Racing) and 2016/17 champion Lucas Di Grassi (Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team), and the latter duo have been busy rolling back the years with their recent performances.

In Monaco, Buemi established himself as the winningest driver in Formula E history as he prevailed for the first time in almost 80 races, while Di Grassi reached the rostrum in Miami in April and followed up with a top five finish in Tokyo. Both have triumphed in China before – the Brazilian in Beijing in 2014, with the Swiss star doing likewise a year later as he completed the hat-trick of pole position, race win and fastest lap. At the start of Season 3, the pair took the chequered flag first (Buemi) and second (Di Grassi) in Hong Kong.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!
Round ten of the 2024/25 Formula E campaign will begin at 15:05 local time (09:05 CEST) on Saturday, 31 May, with round 11 getting underway at the same time the next day.

Like in Japan, Saturday’s Shanghai E-Prix will include the championship’s innovative Pit Boost feature, requiring all participants to make a mandatory 30-second pit-stop for a 10% rapid recharge (3.85kWh) via a 600kW booster.

THE 2025 TRACK

MEDIA CENTRE

2025 SHANGHAI E-PRIX TIMETABLE

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

2025 SHANGHAI E-PRIX ENTRIES

ABB FIA FORMULA E WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
 
The 2024-2025 FIA Formula E World Championship standings can be accessed here.