Formula E stayed in China for rounds 12 and 13 of the 2025-26 season. Heading North-East, teams and drivers switched Sanya for Shanghai. Wet weather impacted the weekend, causing mixed results across the grid. But for Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team, they had a shining moment despite struggling throughout. Whilst penalties and a DNF plagued Zane Maloney, their retiring driver, Lucas di Grassi, brought the team to the top step.
Lacking In Qualifying
Despite showing initial pace in Free Practice 1, Lola Yamaha ABT failed to replicate that in the mixed conditions in both qualifying sessions. For both rounds, neither driver was able to advance from the group stages. Both days, di Grassi was slowest in Group A, unable to find anything in his Lola-Yamaha T001.
In contrast, Maloney had better showings. For Round 12, he finished eighth out of the ten in Group B. However, officials dropped him to the back of the grid. After his team changed the inverters and gearbox, and after he sped during a red flag in Sanya, they awarded him a 43-place grid penalty. As this couldn’t be fulfilled fully, Maloney was also given a 10 second stop-and-go penalty at the start of the race.
Sunday’s qualifying was a better showing for Maloney, who initially found himself advancing. Felipe Drugovich, though, found something special, pushing Maloney out of the top four places. The disqualification of Norman Nato saw him gain a place for the starting grid, and he ultimately lined up P8.
Dual but Similar Strategies In Round 12
On Saturday, both cars were facing the first race from the back of the grid. With Pit Boost being required, the team’s focus was on optimising the strategy and learn for Sunday. After serving his penalty, Maloney was facing a recovery drive, as di Grassi was battling to make up positions.
Once Pit Boost was available, the dual strategy began. Di Grassi was the first of the duo to take the boost, coming in on Lap 15, a couple before Maloney. With rain increasing, Race Control called a safety car on Lap 20. The #22 used this to catch up to the pack and get involved in the fighting when the track went green again.
Similar to the Pit Boost, di Grassi took his Attack Mode a lap before Maloney did. Whilst it saw him initially make up places, with the rest of the grid taking it at the same time, di Grassi was unable to use the extra 50 kW boost to its full potential. By the end of the race, the #11 was vulnerable to those around him. Despite making his way up the field, with less energy he dropped down on the final lap and ultimately finished P18.
In contrast, Maloney took his Attack Mode later on, and was able to use it to the full advantage. In reverse to his teammate, having the extra energy in the final laps saw him capitalise on the all-wheel drive. Patience and no mistakes allowed him to make up places, and cross the line P12. However, a post-race penalty for Edoardo Mortara gave Maloney an extra position, being classified in P11.
A DNF VS A Win in Round 13
Round 13 was truly a tale of two halves for Lola Yamaha ABT. Due to rain, the race started under a safety car. Once the green flag waved, Maloney was one of the first to take his first Attack Mode. With others in the Top 10 also opting for this strategy, he was unable to use it to its full potential; much like his teammate the day before. As he was battling the field, di Grassi was waiting patiently at the back of the grid.
In comparison, di Grassi played the long game. Slowly closing the gap and conserving energy allowed him to push forward towards the end of the race. Taking his first Attack Mode on Lap 21, within two laps he was in the Top 10. Now, with few laps remaining he had another four minutes of Attack Mode, and more energy than those around him.
The turning point for the team came on Lap 23. A technical failure saw Maloney pull over at the start of the front straight. Yellow flags were called, and drivers ahead took their final Attack Mode. Di Grassi, however, remained patient. Next time around, the yellow flags turned into a Full Course Yellow, essentially rendering the extra 50 kW useless.
Now up to third, di Grassi was in prime position as the green flag was waved. Immediately taking his final Attack Mode, he was chasing after Jean-Éric Vergne and Joel Eriksson. Within a lap he was within a second, and one lap remained. Crossing the line for the final lap saw him make the move, taking the lead into the first corner. Utilising the extra boost, he was able to defend from Vergne to take the win.
Ahead of the race, di Grassi opted to gamble on dry tyre pressures because he expected the rain to clear. And it worked, coming alive towards the end of the race as the track cleared, the #22 was able to secure his first win since the 2022 London E-Prix.
Lola Yamaha ABT Had A Split Weekend
Throughout the weekend, Lola Yamaha ABT faced highs and lows. Compared to their initial FP1 pace, they were unable to convert that come qualifying. Saturday saw Maloney come out stronger, capitalising on the mixed conditions to carve his way through the grid. But a technical failure on Sunday saw the Barbadian leave Shanghai pointless.
Over the two rounds, di Grassi looked to be on the back foot compared to his teammate. But he showed why he can never be counted out. The strategy went his way on Sunday, proving why he’s one of the most decorated Formula E drivers. Bringing Lola Yamaha ABT their first win, he has now won a race in every era. He started his career with a win in China, now it might be how he ends it.
Although outright pace evaded the team, they made up for it in race strategy and execution. Both days they showed clear progression through the field. Heading to the top step shows that Lola Yamaha ABT are working their way up, slowly but surely.
“I am so proud of the whole team today. To get the first victory for Lola Yamaha ABT in Formula E here in Shanghai was a fantastic moment for the team and a result of the hard work every single person has been putting in. … We will now carry this momentum to Tokyo in three weeks where we hope to secure a great result for our partner Yamaha in their home race.”
~ Lola Yamaha ABT Team Principal, Mark Preston.