Oliver Rowland strengthened his grip on the Formula E drivers’ championship after securing victory in the second race of the Jeddah E-Prix double-header.
The event also marked a historic achievement for British motorsport, as drivers from the United Kingdom claimed the top four positions.
Rookie sensation Taylor Barnard continued his impressive debut season, converting his pole position into a second-place finish, while Jake Hughes rounded off the podium. Defending champion Jake Dennis and Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy made significant recoveries from poor qualifying performances to finish fourth and fifth, respectively, in a race that delivered electrifying action.
Da Costa’s Early Exit & Barnard’s Strong Start
Taylor Barnard made history as the youngest driver ever to start a Formula E race from pole position, while Stoffel Vandoorne was forced to start from the back after being disqualified from qualifying. As the lights went out at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit—following the largest firework display in the city’s history—Barnard made an exceptional getaway.
However, there was immediate heartbreak for former championship leader Antonio Felix da Costa, who spun at Turn 4 after being clipped by Friday’s race winner, Maximilian Günther. Both drivers suffered damage and were forced to retire. Meanwhile, Lucas di Grassi made early progress, climbing to second after being the first to activate Attack Mode. Dan Ticktum also gained positions, moving up to fourth by Lap 6.
The traditional peloton-style racing quickly took effect, with constant position changes at the front. Towards the back, McLaren’s Sam Bird received a five-second penalty for failing to comply with the race director’s instructions after damaging his front wing.
By Lap 16, all leading drivers had used their first Attack Mode activation. Rowland strategically capitalized on his boost and built a lead of over two seconds ahead of Barnard, with Jean-Eric Vergne holding third, followed by Robin Frijns and Jake Hughes.
Barnard timed his Attack Mode activation perfectly, allowing him and Vergne to close in on Rowland. This strategy paid off as Barnard overtook his former mentor on Lap 17. However, Rowland responded swiftly, reclaiming the lead just one lap later.
Rowland’s Masterclass & Late-Race Drama
Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy was one of the standout performers, charging from the back to third by Lap 22 after strategically deploying both Attack Modes early. His teammate, Mitch Evans, wasn’t as fortunate, retiring after pitting for repairs.
As the race progressed, Jake Dennis surged to the front, benefiting from his efficient energy management and Attack Mode strategy. However, Rowland, Vergne, Barnard, and Hughes quickly reeled him in, pushing the reigning champion down to fifth. Barnard also managed to pass Vergne, securing second place.
With Dennis being shuffled back, Rowland extended his lead to over a second. Hughes, still benefiting from Attack Mode, overtook Vergne for third. The Frenchman then found himself under pressure from Barnard, who defended fiercely in a style reminiscent of Max Verstappen. On the penultimate lap, Hughes attempted an inside move at Turn 1, but Barnard’s aggressive defense ensured he held onto second place.
As Hughes fended off late attacks from Dennis, Rowland remained unchallenged at the front, cruising to a commanding six-second victory—his second of the season. Barnard, Hughes, Dennis, and Cassidy rounded out the top five in a thrilling conclusion to the Jeddah E-Prix weekend.
