Andretti Formula E’s Jake Dennis converted his pole position into a victory at a hectic 2025 Google Cloud São Paulo E-Prix Round 1, marking his first win since Diriyah in 2024.
The Season 9 World Champion made the definitive move on Nick Cassidy on Lap 27 and held off reigning champion Oliver Rowland and Cassidy in a one-lap sprint to the finish following a late Red Flag.
Pascal Wehrlein and Nico Müller rounded out the top five for Porsche Formula E Team, placing Dennis atop the Drivers’ standings.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will continue with Round 2 in Mexico City on 10 January 2026.
Andretti Formula E’s Jake Dennis started on pole and converted to the win in the 2025 Google Cloud São Paulo E-Prix Round 1, though it was anything but lights-to-flag in a hectic 30-lap race.
The Season 9 ABB FIA Formula E World Champion lined up on the grid in pole position andstarted sharply to lead the pack away. The Brit kept in touch with the leaders throughout as he played the waiting game before making it by the Citroën Racing car of Nick Cassidy – who’d flown through the pack with a late charge – for what would be the definitive move on Lap 27.
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.
All that sees Dennis lead the Drivers’ standings and Andretti the Teams’ – with Porsche heading up the Manufacturers’ table as we head to Mexico City in the New Year on 10 January.
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 the team like this is fantastic.”
2025 GOOGLE CLOUD SÃO PAULO E-PRIX ATTENDED BY LOCAL STARS
Saturday’s race was headlined by Brazilian DJ and music producer Mochakk, who performed in the Fan Village while also cheering on all the teams from the exclusive Formula E VIP hospitality area, the EMOTION CLUB.
Local actors Hugo Bonemer, Bruno De Luca and Kaysar Dadour were also among local stars who were welcomed to enjoy the thrilling action.
FORMULA E CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABILITY AT GOOGLE CLOUD SÃO PAULO E-PRIX
- FIA Girls on Track hosted 120 girls for their first event of the season, promoting empowerment and education, with participants attending workshops, gaming, listening to career talks and experiencing a Pit Lane Walk.
- Better Futures Fund: Now in its second year, the Better Futures Fund renews its support for ASSOCIAÇÃO PIPA, marking the second year in a row the São Paulo-based organisation has been selected. The São Paulo-based charity will receive a €25,000 donation used to support its mission to advance educational equity, digital inclusion and environmental awareness in highly vulnerable communities. The initiative will directly support 30 children aged 7–14 and empower more than 100 family members across Jardim Peri and Brasilândi.
OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS THIS WEEK
Formula E named Google Cloud as the Title Partner for the season-opener, the 2025 Google Cloud São Paulo E-Prix. The partnership introduced a new ‘Strategy Agent’ powered by Google Gemini for live broadcasts, which offered real-time race insights to viewers. Additionally, Google Cloud hosted a large-scale AI training event at the race venue, the ‘Capacita+ Day,’ to promote innovation and technology.
Formula E took over the runway of Guarulhos airport. In a first-of-its-kind activation, Andretti driver Felipe Drugovich piloted the GEN3 Evo down the runway of São Paulo Guarulhos – Brazil’s largest and busiest airport. A historic moment, and the first time the airport has ever closed for a motorsport activation.
The broadcast line-up for Season 12 was confirmed, with Nicki Shields returning as lead presenter. The team is bolstered by returning experts David Coulthard, Karun Chandhok, James Rossiter, Catie Munnings, André Lotterer, Jamie Chadwick, Allan McNish and Billy Monger, alongside exciting new additions. 12-time E-Prix winner Sam Bird joins the presenting team, bringing his intimate knowledge of the championship, as does Albie Lau, former NEOM McLaren Formula E Team Chief Engineer, who joins as Strategy Pundit. Pitlane reporters Alexa Rendell and Georgia Henneberry, plus commentators Tom Brooks and Ryan Myrehn, also return for Season 12.
Formula E has grown its global footprint with new broadcast partners joining this season, enhancing visibility across key regions and giving fans more ways to follow every session of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. New for Season 12:
- RTVE (Spain) – Free-to-air coverage via Teledeporte and RTVE Play, with all races either live or simulcast, and all qualifying sessions on RTVE Play.
- BILD (Germany) – One of Germany’s largest media outlets joins as a new partner, offering live content throughout the season, alongside DF1 and Eurosport.
- N Sports (Brazil) – Expanding Brazilian coverage and strengthening its presence in a key motorsport market.
