Shanghai ePrix 2025: Overview and challenges
Formula E continues its double-header of races this weekend, this time at the Shanghai International Circuit, where the electric single-seaters will make their second ever stopover.
Two weeks after the Tokyo ePrix confirmed Oliver Rowland’s dominance in the championship, Shanghai is hosting the 10th and 11th races of the season this weekend. On a circuit that combines fast corners and winding sectors, drivers will have to find the perfect balance in their cars to secure the top positions.
China, a land of firsts for Formula E
China can boast of hosting the first race in the history of Formula E. It was on September 13, 2014, in Beijing, on a circuit laid out around the city’s Olympic stadium used for the 2008 Olympics. This edition of the Beijing ePrix was won by Lucas di Grassi on Audi.
Another race took place in the Chinese capital the following year. Once again opening the season, Beijing saw Sébastien Buemi clinch victory driving a Renault e.dams.
For seasons 3 and 4, the race moved to Hong Kong and it was once again the Swiss driver who won the first race in this city of over seven million inhabitants. The following year, two races were scheduled with two different winners, first Sam Bird with DS Virgin Racing, then Felix Rosenqvist driving a Mahindra.
In 2019, in addition to the race in Hong Kong, the city of Sanya hosted a race, its only one to date. Edoardo Mortara in a Venturi and Jean-Eric Vergne in a DS Techeetah were the two winners of the Chinese races that season.
Finally, last year, Shanghai and its road circuit became the fourth Chinese city to host Formula E races with wins by Mitch Evans on Jaguar and Antonio Felix da Costa on Porsche.
A specific layout for FE
The Shanghai International Circuit, inaugurated in 2004, has already hosted rounds of several international championships. This includes Formula 1, where the Chinese Grand Prix has been held since 2004, as well as the World Endurance Championship, which has seen several editions of the 6 Hours of Shanghai.
Formula E takes a different layout compared to these two championships. With a length of 3.05 kilometers and comprising 12 turns, the circuit highlights long, fast curves.
The first and second corners, a true signature of this circuit, form a long right-hand curve that tightens up to turn 3 before the first long straight. Drivers will take advantage of the braking at the hairpin of turn 6 to recover energy before the two fast curves of turns 7 and 8.
The last part of the circuit consists of a low-speed section with three turns, including a chicane, before the start/finish straight.
Oliver Rowland still and always the favorite
With seven races remaining in the season, the championship now seems beyond the reach of anyone but Oliver Rowland and his Nissan. The English driver demonstrates unwavering solidity, and his car is comfortable on all types of tracks. As evidence, in nine races already held, Rowland finished either first or second, except for two occasions where he crossed the finish line off the podium.
Those who could potentially challenge him are the two Porsche drivers, but their inconsistency has often been a problem for them this season.
Finally, the surprise could once again come from a former world champion. After Sébastien Buemi in Monaco and Stoffel Vandoorne in Tokyo, is it Jean-Eric Vergne and his DS Penske’s turn in Tokyo?
The start of the two races of the Shanghai ePrix will be on Saturday, May 31 at 9 a.m. and Sunday, June 1 at 9 a.m. (French time).
