Rowland Clinches Formula E Title in a Tactical Thriller
By
Klara Lupomeska
·
4–6 minutes
In the warmest weather we saw all weekend, the Berlin E-Prix delivered a strategy-heavy race. While Wehrlein started from pole, all eyes were on Rowland. Nissan driver led a calculated drive to fourth place, which was enough to secure him the 2025 Formula E World Championship. All of that, despite starting in eighth after a grid drop penalty.
The conditions were much warmer than at any other point during the weekend as the cars lined up on the grid. With Wehrlein on pole and Rowland down in P8 due to a penalty, everything was still to play for. Calculators stayed open in the garages, as Rowland couldn’t afford to let Wehrlein outscore him by more than 16 points.
Wehrlein got a solid launch, holding his lead, while Rowland gained just one position. The move was small but important in the title fight. Beckmann was the first to activate attack mode on lap 3. As most drivers had stressed before the race, energy conservation would be crucial, with many expecting late-race action.
Perhaps for that reason, Wehrlein let Ticktum through and held back behind him. Both were soon passed by Beckmann using attack mode. It was a tactical shuffle between Porsche and Cupra Kiro, with teammates supporting each other early on. After running out of first 4 minutes of the energy advantage, Beckmann dropped back to P4 behind the Porsche duo.
Rowland claws forward slowly
Beckmann continued slipping down the order as the lead changed hands frequently between Ticktum and the Porsches. Meanwhile, Rowland made a strong move, gaining two positions in a single corner to climb into P5.
Frijns joined the lead battle, passing da Costa, as Wehrlein received the call that he was “free to push”. By lap 18, Barnard had worked his way into the front group, sending Rowland back to P6. Mortara, meanwhile, was only the second driver to use attack mode.
A yellow flag was thrown when Buemi stopped at the side of the track. When it became clear he couldn’t continue, a safety car was deployed. Mortara and Sette Camara lost out, having activated attack mode just before. Barnard timed it perfectly, taking the lead moments before the safety car boards were shown.
Strategic chaos after the safety car
With 17 laps to go, racing resumed. Barnard immediately used attack mode and in a brave mode, regained the lead. The strategy was risky but if played right, could also be very rewarding.
He began pulling a gap on the Porsche duo and it looked like a genius move. That advantage was erased soon, when Bird rear-ended Müller who made a late move in front of him, prompting another safety car.
Both Wehrlein and Rowland activated attack mode at the restart. Rowland used 4 minutes, while Wehrlein conserved with 2 only. The Nissan driver finally began his charge toward the front, battling hard with Evans in particular.
With 9 laps to go, Rowland moved into the lead while Wehrlein, having gone wide, was swallowed by two rivals and dropped to P9. That mistake — combined with higher early energy usage — looked to be the turning point in the title fight.
Rowland controls the closing stages
On lap 33, both championship contenders activated their final attack modes. Rowland retook the lead, while Wehrlein was stuck down in P15. Rowland now had the upper hand: top 5 finish with a fastest lap or top 4 finish without is all he needed with Wehrlein down the timing sheets.
As added laps were confirmed, all drivers used up their attack modes. Rowland slipped to P3, but with Wehrlein only up to P11, the Nissan driver’s title hopes looked secure. Wehrlein began dropping back shortly after, having burned through his energy more quickly than those around him.
Behind Rowland, Barnard and Drugovich were fighting fiercely, creating a safety blanket for the champion-to-be. A short full course yellow was deployed as Frijns’ car stopped, completing a rough day for Envision.
At the restart, Rowland didn’t just defend his fourth position — he was still fighting to go onto the podium as well. He didn’t need to complete the job with Wehrlein down in P16 though. As Oliver Rowland crossed the line, he officially became the 2025 Formula E World Champion.
Cassidy won the race to complete a double Berlin victory for Jaguar after Evans’ triumph yesterday. He was joined by Dennis and Vergne on the podium, all of them climbing from the lower positions.
Although the attention remained on the new champion, Cassidy was delighted to win another race in such a difficult season for Jaguar:
“Mitch [Evans] was unbelievable yesterday. He had an incredible speed. I am also very proud of our race – we got very lucky with a safety car there – but overall, we had a positive weekend for the team.“
Dennis shared his happiness to get on the podium after an unlikely result. He admitted they were “quite off the pace” as the team today but after finishing on a high, he was looking to head to London and see what they can achieve there.
Vergne added that he has no advice for Rowland as a former champion himself, because he is a champion himself now and can enjoy.
Finally, the new champion joined the conversation in the press conference and added his thoughts on the race that brought him the title:
“In my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about how it [the championship lead] could get overturned. Then the race, obviously, was extremely tight, so it was a race where it was hard to be clean. I think we did a good job and obviously I am super happy.“
