The Biggest Betting Wins in Formula E: Electrifying Upsets
Formula E, the all-electric racing series launched in 2014, has revolutionised motorsport with its high-stakes street circuits and unpredictable dynamics.
Unlike traditional racing, factors like energy management, Attack Mode activations, and variable weather create frequent upsets. These elements have led to some of the most lucrative betting payouts in the sport’s history.
Bettors from Unlim Luck Casino who backed long-shot drivers have turned modest stakes into life-changing sums. Below, we delve into three standout races where underdogs defied the odds, delivering massive returns.
The 2017 Hong Kong E-Prix: di Grassi’s Dramatic Recovery
The 2017 Hong Kong E-Prix, held on February 18, remains a benchmark for betting thrillers. Lucas di Grassi, driving for ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport, started from pole but crashed on the first lap after contact with Jerome d’Ambrosio’s Mahindra. This early exit left him last among 18 starters, with pre-race odds for victory hovering around 1.50—making him a heavy favorite turned underdog at adjusted in-play odds exceeding 50/1 as the field spread out.
The 2.06 km circuit, with its tight harbor-side turns, favored consistent runners. Reigning champion di Grassi, however, mounted an epic comeback. He methodically gained positions through superior energy efficiency, activating Attack Mode twice to boost power by 25 kW. By lap 10, he was in the top 10; a safety car on lap 15 from a separate incident bunched the pack, allowing aggressive overtakes. Di Grassi passed Felix Rosenqvist for the lead on lap 28, holding off Sebastien Buemi’s e.dams Renault by 0.3 seconds over the 45-minute race plus one lap.
This victory, di Grassi’s second of Season 3, clinched him the drivers’ title. Bettors on the initial win market saw payouts up to 55 times their stake, with one reported €100 bet yielding €5,500. The upset highlighted Formula E’s recovery potential, where battery strategy trumps raw speed.
The 2019 Rome E-Prix: Bird’s Dominant Underdog Triumph
Round 4 of Season 5, the 2019 Rome E-Prix on April 13, showcased Envision Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird as a betting sensation. Bird qualified 10th on the 3.38 km EUR circuit, a mix of long straights and technical chicanes, with pre-race odds for victory at 15/1—reflecting Jaguar and Nissan as favorites after strong qualifying.
Bird’s race was a masterclass in opportunism. As leaders struggled with tire degradation on the abrasive surface, he conserved energy early, entering Attack Mode conservatively to maintain position. A full-course yellow on lap 8, triggered by a Spinelli-Nyck de Vries collision, neutralized the field. Bird emerged third post-restart, then capitalized on Pascal Wehrlein’s Jaguar power loss on lap 15, surging to second. He overtook polesitter Robin Frijns via a bold outside move at Turn 9 on lap 22, pulling a 2-second gap.
The 45-minute contest saw Bird lap consistently 0.5 seconds faster, finishing 1.5 seconds ahead of Maximilian Guenther. This win, Bird’s 10th in Formula E, propelled him to the championship lead. At 15/1 odds, a €200 stake returned €3,200, with in-play backers at peak 25/1 odds netting even more. The event’s 15 overtakes and three safety periods amplified the payout potential.
The 2024 Sao Paulo E-Prix: Vandoorne’s Rookie Shock
In Season 10’s Sao Paulo E-Prix on March 2, 2024, at Interlagos, Stoffel Vandoorne delivered one of Formula E’s freshest upsets. The former F1 driver, in his debut full season with DS Penske, qualified 17th on the 3.27 km layout known for its flowing corners and elevation changes. Pre-race odds pegged him at 40/1, with Porsche and Jaguar dominating practice.
Vandoorne’s race unfolded amid Sao Paulo’s humid conditions, where heat sapped battery life by up to 15%. Starting conservatively, he gained five spots in the first five laps via undercut strategy during the mandatory mid-race car swap. A red flag on lap 12—from Antonio Felix da Costa’s heavy crash—reset the field, allowing Vandoorne to emerge eighth. Post-restart, he activated Attack Mode aggressively, overtaking three cars in one lap through the Senna S.
By lap 25, Vandoorne led after Jake Hughes’ Nissan spun at Turn 4. He defended against Nick Cassidy’s Jaguar charge, winning by 0.4 seconds in a 30-lap thriller marred by two more safety cars. This maiden victory vaulted Vandoorne to fourth in standings. At 40/1, a $100 bet paid $4,100, with live odds spiking to 60/1 mid-race for enormous returns. The race’s 18 position changes epitomized Formula E volatility.
