Vandoorne times it to perfection to win rain-hit Tokyo E-Prix Round 8
Stoffel Vandoorne ended a three-year victory drought in sensational style by winning Round 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in rain-soaked Tokyo, timing his PIT BOOST stop to perfection in an incident-packed race that saw strategy, weather, and precision driving converge in dramatic fashion.
The Season 8 champion, now driving for Maserati MSG Racing, took full advantage of tricky conditions and a red flag interruption to claim his first win since Monaco 2022. Vandoorne’s early gamble on PIT BOOST—executed before a mid-race red flag—paid off handsomely as it reset the field and effectively handed him a lead he would never relinquish.
“We were aggressive with strategy today and it paid off,” said Vandoorne after the race. “In these conditions, you’ve got to take the risks when they come — and the team nailed the timing.”
Tactical brilliance amid chaos
The Tokyo E-Prix was run in soaking conditions at Big Sight, with over 25mm of rain falling before lights out. The field took the start behind the Safety Car, and it wasn’t long before chaos and creativity began to unfold.
Pole-sitter Oliver Rowland, competing in Nissan’s home race, looked dominant early on, leading comfortably and managing energy well. However, Vandoorne’s early move to PIT BOOST before the Lap 13 red flag—triggered by Maximilian Guenther’s car failure—flipped the race on its head. With a standing restart, the Belgian’s pit stop effectively became a “freebie”, while rivals were yet to serve their mandatory stop.
From there, Vandoorne emerged with a 30-second cushion over Rowland, who still extended his Drivers’ Championship lead to a record 60 points at the halfway mark of the season.
Barnard’s brilliance and Buemi’s charge
Taylor Barnard impressed with a bold move around the outside at Turn 16, the same spot where he suffered a heavy crash during Free Practice 1. The NEOM McLaren driver secured his first Formula E podium, finishing third behind Rowland.
Sebastien Buemi produced a season-best P4, while Dan Ticktum came home fifth—his best finish of the season. Edoardo Mortara rounded out the top six for a resurgent Mahindra Racing.
The win ends a 49-race victory drought for Vandoorne and gives Maserati their first laps led—and win—of the season. The Belgian’s early pit stop strategy, coupled with calm execution after his Lap 28 spin at Turn 2, ultimately proved decisive.
