Mahindra Racing Storms Podium at Jakarta E-Prix!

The streets of Jakarta witnessed an electrifying spectacle at the latest Formula E-Prix, delivering a potent cocktail of drama, unexpected twists, and pure racing grit. The track, notoriously dusty, was described by seasoned drivers as a “wet race without water,” setting the stage for a truly unpredictable contest. In a heart-stopping finish, Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara clinched a hard-fought second place, narrowly missing the top spot but securing the team’s second podium of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, the day belonged to Cupra Kiro’s Dan Ticktum, who celebrated an emotional maiden Formula E victory, etching his name into the championship’s history books. Andretti’s Nico Mueller rounded out the podium, completing a memorable race weekend.

The event was a testament to the unpredictable nature of electric motorsport, highlighting intense battles, strategic gambles, and moments of sheer heartbreak for some of the championship’s leading contenders. From the first lap to the checkered flag, every moment was charged with high stakes and palpable tension.

Ticktum’s Triumphant Breakthrough in Jakarta

Cupra Kiro’s Historic Return to Victory Lane

Starting from a modest fifth position on the grid, Dan Ticktum’s journey to victory was anything but straightforward. He initially dropped back after his first Attack Mode activation, a strategic power boost designed to offer an advantage but often requiring a temporary dip in track position. However, with unwavering determination, Ticktum systematically clawed his way back through the field. His ascent was further aided by the unforeseen retirements of front-runners Jake Dennis and Nyck de Vries, which dramatically reshuffled the leading pack and thrust him into genuine contention.

The final laps saw a fierce duel with Mortara, a battle Ticktum ultimately won thanks to a crucial stroke of luck. The timing of the last Full Course Yellow (FCY) played directly into his hands, deploying just as Mortara activated his final Attack Mode. This unfortunate timing meant the Mahindra driver couldn’t fully capitalize on the power surge and four-wheel drive offered by the mode, allowing Ticktum to maintain his slender lead and successfully fend off the late charge.

The checkered flag marked a monumental moment for Ticktum – his first-ever Formula E victory after a grueling 60 race starts in the championship. This triumph was equally significant for his team, Cupra Kiro, representing their first race win since the inaugural 2014-15 season, when they competed under the name NEXTEV. It was a long-awaited return to the pinnacle of electric motorsport for the squad.

Addressing the media post-race, a visibly emotional Ticktum reflected on his journey. “I’ve got a lot of hate from people over the years – people with short-term memory issues forgetting that I’ve won a fair few things on my way up the ladder,” he admitted, alluding to past criticisms. He continued, “I think the first three seasons in Formula E were very tough. It was difficult to remain motivated, but this season is pretty much as good as I could have hoped for. We definitely struggled at the start; hit the ground running to adapt to all the new systems and the new powertrain, and the team has done a remarkable job. Especially since Miami, I think the rate of improvement has been very good.” His words painted a vivid picture of resilience and the profound satisfaction of overcoming adversity.

Mahindra Racing’s Emotional Rollercoaster in Jakarta

Mortara’s Near Miss and de Vries’ Unfortunate Exit

The Jakarta E-Prix began with immense promise for Mahindra Racing, as both their talented drivers, Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries, showcased impressive pace during qualifying, successfully advancing to the duels stage. Mortara’s P2 finish was a fantastic result, marking the team’s second podium of the season, following de Vries’ equally impressive second-place finish at the Monaco E-Prix earlier in the year. The Indian-backed team’s consistent performance signals a strong resurgence in the championship.

However, for Mortara, the triumph was tinged with a touch of disappointment. While delighted with his best result of the season, he candidly admitted, “I think we should have got both cars on the podium.” He reflected on the mixed fortunes of his race, stating, “The race was lucky and unlucky [for me]. For the second Attack Mode, yes I was in front of Dan (Ticktum) and I think if we had no interruptions, probably we had a good chance of finishing in front of him. But we’re also very lucky that the good guys in front of us stopped.” His remarks underscore the fine margins that define success and failure in Formula E.

Nyck de Vries, Mortara’s teammate, found himself in a thrilling battle for the lead early on, locked in a fierce exchange with Andretti’s Jake Dennis. On lap 23, in a bold move, de Vries pulled alongside Dennis, gaining a whisker of an advantage. However, as he moved right, unavoidable contact occurred between his Mahindra and Dennis’s Andretti car. Race stewards swiftly handed de Vries a 10-second penalty for the incident. Tragically, neither driver would see the checkered flag in a competitive position. Dennis eventually finished P17 after grappling with an issue in releasing his Full Course Yellow limiter, while de Vries was forced to retire due to a technical issue with his car, a heartbreaking end to what promised to be a stellar race.

Despite de Vries’s unfortunate retirement, Mortara’s crucial podium finish ensured Mahindra Racing maintained their fifth position in the highly competitive teams’ championship, now sitting just six points behind McLaren. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Mahindra Racing team principal Frederic Bertrand expressed a mix of pride and lingering what-ifs. “For us, it was a super well-executed race on Edo’s [Mortara] side for sure,” he stated. “Also on Nyck’s side, [but there was a] small mistake at one moment and a small issue for him.” Bertrand’s pride was evident as he added, “It was a proud moment for us to see two Mahindras leading the race; maybe it could have been a one-two at the end, to be honest. But we are super happy and proud because this is our second podium – first podium for Edo, which should give him an additional level of confidence for Berlin.” His comments highlight the fierce ambition within the Mahindra camp and their aspirations for future success.

Formula E Championship Heats Up: Rowland Extends Lead

Crucial Points for Key Contenders Ahead of Berlin Double-Header

Beyond the podium finishers, the Jakarta E-Prix continued to reshape the championship landscape. Nico Mueller, starting further back, delivered a phenomenal drive to finish third, showcasing incredible race craft by gaining 10 places from his starting position. Antonio Felix da Costa secured a solid fourth place for Porsche, followed by Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy in fifth. The McLaren duo of Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird put in strong performances to finish sixth and seventh, respectively, demonstrating their consistent pace. Envision Racing teammates Sebastian Buemi and Robin Frijns rounded out the top nine, adding valuable points to their tally.

Championship leader Oliver Rowland, representing Nissan, endured a challenging weekend. After a disappointing qualifying session, he made good progress in the race, determined to salvage points. However, a 5-second penalty for causing a collision with DS Penske’s Max Guenther ultimately dropped him to tenth place. Despite this setback and scoring just a single point in Jakarta, Rowland remarkably managed to extend his championship lead to a significant 69 points over Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein, who finished just outside the top 10 in P11. Da Costa, Wehrlein’s Porsche teammate, now holds third overall, a mere three points behind.

The championship battle is intensifying as the season progresses, with every point proving crucial. The Formula E circus will next head to the vibrant German capital, Berlin, for another thrilling double-header round on July 12-13. Fans can expect more edge-of-the-seat action as drivers vie for supremacy.

2025 Jakarta E-Prix Race Results Overview

The Jakarta E-Prix proved to be a pivotal race, delivering both exhilarating victories and painful lessons, setting the stage for an even more thrilling continuation of the 2025 Formula E season.