Shanghai ePrix 2024: Overview and challenges

The double appointment in Berlin two weeks ago once again offered its share of twists and turns. While Nick Cassidy left Germany with a slight lead over his closest competitor in the championship Pascal Wehrlein, nothing is set in stone yet since many drivers and several teams can vie for victory in each race. With six races remaining in the season, Shanghai will be a key stage for the future awarding of the world titles.

A return to China after five years of absence

China can be proud to have hosted the first race in the history of Formula E. It was on September 13, 2014 in Beijing, on a circuit set around the city’s Olympic stadium, which was used for the 2008 Olympics. This edition of the Beijing ePrix was won by Lucas di Grassi in an Audi.

Another race took place in the Chinese capital the following year. Always held at the beginning of the season, Beijing had seen Sébastien Buemi win behind the wheel of a Renault e.dams.

For seasons 3 and 4, the race moved to Hong Kong and once again, it was the Swiss who won the first race in this city of over seven million inhabitants. The following year, two races were on the schedule with two different winners, first Sam Bird on DS Virgin Racing, then Felix Rosenqvist at the wheel of a Mahindra.

The last Formula E visit to China dates back to 2019. That year, in addition to the race in Hong Kong, the city of Sanya hosted a race, its only one to date. Edoardo Mortara in Venturi and Jean-Eric Vergne in DS Techeetah were the two winners of the Chinese races that season.

Shanghai will thus be the fourth Chinese city to host Formula E races.

A specific layout for the FE.

The Shanghai International Circuit, opened in 2004, has already hosted rounds of several international championships. This is notably the case with Formula 1 where the Chinese Grand Prix has been held since 2004, or the World Endurance Championship where several editions of the 6 Hours of Shanghai have taken place.

The Formula E will take a different route compared to these two championships. With a length of 3.05 kilometers and consisting of 12 corners, the circuit favors long fast curves.

Turns 1 and 2, a true signature of this circuit, form a long right-hand curve that tightens until turn 3 before the first long straight. Drivers will take advantage of braking at turn 6 hairpin to recover energy before the two fast curves of turns 7 and 8.

The last part of the circuit is composed of a low-speed section with three turns, including a chicane, before the start/finish straight line.

Jaguar and Nick Cassidy can widen the gap.

In ten races, Nick Cassidy has been on the podium seven times, including twice in first place. Winner and then second in the two races in Berlin, the New Zealander is in great shape and is now emerging as the favorite for the world title.

With 16 and 22 points behind the Jaguar driver, Pascal Wehrlein and Oliver Rowland must not let their opponent escape to preserve their chances. If he continues on this path, Cassidy could leave China with an even bigger lead in the championship.

Further on, Jake Dennis no longer has the right to make mistakes if he wants to keep his title. There is no doubt that the Briton will defend himself to the end with an Andretti that remains one of the best single-seaters on the grid.

Very fast in qualifying but more struggling in the race, the two DS Penske will also have their say in China. On a track that Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne know well, it will be necessary to keep a close eye on the cars of the Franco-American team.

The start of the two races of the Shanghai ePrix will be given on Saturday 25th May at 9am and Sunday 26th May at 9am (French time).