Formula E News: Jake Dennis wins season opener for Andretti Porsche

Jake Dennis (pictured) claimed victory in the opening race of the 2025/2026 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on Saturday in the São Paulo E-Prix with Porsche customer team Andretti Formula E.

The former world champion started first for the 30-lap contest, cycling back into the lead after a late Porsche Taycan Turbo GT safety car intervention and with the aid of his final Attack Mode.

A huge shunt for rookie Pepe Martí (CUPRA KIRO) – who flew spectacularly over the top of Jaguar TCS Racing’s Antonio Félix da Costa – and thankfully, ultimately, landed safely, meant a late Red Flag and a one-lap sprint to the finish. Dennis was able to hold off reigning champion Oliver Rowland (Nissan Formula E Team), who’d started all the way down in 13th – and Cassidy – to take the first victory of the season.

That marked Dennis’ first win since Diriyah in 2024, and he becomes the first driver to win from the front row at the Anhembi Sambadrome Circuit.

Wehrlein, who had led the race, and had a similar incident to Martí here last season, finished fourth with Porsche Formula E Team’s Nico Müller finishing fifth, while Max Günther rounded out the top six for DS PENSKE.

Hometown hero Felipe Drugovich (Andretti Formula E) had an eventful debut race as a full-time driver in the championship, crossing the line fifth but later incurring penalties placing him 12th overall.

Top-3 Quotes

Jake Dennis, No. 27, Andretti Formula E said: 

“We had a good strategy, a good race car and good track position when we needed to. That first ATTACK MODE was crucial when we took it, and it looked like it was ours – we were comfortable in the lead just before the red flag, and then I wasn’t too sure how it was going to play out. But I’m so happy, I didn’t get a win last season so to get it back in the first race is a testament to our off-season work. It’s the big boss’ birthday today and it’s my engineer’s birthday tomorrow, so double whammy – I don’t have to get them a present now! It’s been a tough couple of seasons since Season 9 so to get the win is good.”

Oliver Rowland, No. 23, Nissan Formula E Team said:

“I’m very pleased, especially after this morning. We didn’t have the best qualifying and we brought a three-place grid penalty from London, so I think to get second is a great result. We got a bit lucky today with certain Safety Cars and full-course yellows during ATTACK MODE for the others, but I’m delighted with the result and I’ll take the points. They are going to be very important. I think it’s going to be extremely close this year so any points you can get the better. It’s 18 more than I got here last year so it’s a better start.”

Nick Cassidy, No. 37, Citroën Racing:

“This result is awesome for everyone at Citroën Racing. It’s been a big off-season, and it was not an easy day with qualifying not really going to plan. I’m very happy for everyone to start this way with a podium, and points-wise, it’s more than we could have expected. It was a great strategy from the team; communication was very good; their plan was very good – a lot of information before the race—and I think we executed more or less what we said. It’s amazing to have Citroën in Formula E and to start with a team like this is fantastic.”

Formula E Sao Paulo Race 1 Results