Key Takeaways (TL;DR):
- Title Decider: Jake Dennis, Mitch Evans, Pascal Wehrlein, and Oliver Rowland lead a nine-driver field mathematically eligible to claim the 2025/26 Drivers’ World Championship at the London ePrix.
- End of Gen3 Era: The ExCeL Arena hosts the final race for Formula E’s Gen3 machinery before the 600 kW, AWD Gen4 cars debut next season at Brands Hatch.
- Historic Farewell: Season 3 Champion Lucas Di Grassi retires from professional racing after 12 seasons, 14 wins, and 42 podiums in the all-electric series.
Formula E heads to London to write the final pages of a story four seasons in the making. The double-header at the ExCeL Arena will not only crown the series’ new World Champion, but also mark the official conclusion of the Gen3 era—one of the most transformative eras in the championship’s history. Adding to the drama, London will serve as the backdrop for major farewells among drivers, teams, and manufacturers.
With two races remaining and 58 points on the table, Jake Dennis, Mitch Evans, Pascal Wehrlein, Oliver Rowland, Edoardo Mortara, António Félix da Costa, Nick Cassidy, Nico Müller, and Nyck de Vries all retain a mathematical chance of clinching the title. Realistically, the fight is centered on the top four, with the rest requiring improbable combinations of results.
Dennis leads the standings with 146 points, holding a slim two-point advantage over Evans. Wehrlein sits third on 141, while Rowland remains within striking distance on 132. The tight margin among the leaders reflects a season in which the championship table shifted constantly.
In Tokyo, Dennis surged to the top of the standings after securing back-to-back podiums, while Evans failed to score in the second race, surrendering the points lead he had claimed the day before. Wehrlein also lost momentum, dropping behind his title rivals heading into the season finale.
The Teams’ World Championship remains equally fierce. Jaguar leads with 257 points, but Porsche trails closely on 243. With up to 94 points still available across both races, Andretti, Mahindra, and Citroën remain mathematical contenders, though the title is expected to be decided between the top two squads.
However, the weekend extends far beyond the drivers’ title fight or the Jaguar vs. Porsche showdown. London represents the final competitive outing for Gen3 and the backdrop for several high-profile departures. Regardless of who raises the trophy, the finale carries profound historical weight as Formula E closes a pivotal chapter before embarking on its next era.
The End of the Gen3 Era
This weekend marks the official end of the Gen3 generation. Introduced for the 2022/23 season, Gen3 redefined electric single-seater racing. Lighter, smaller, and significantly faster, these cars combined raw performance with energy efficiency and sustainability.
Over the past two seasons, the Gen3 Evo upgrade elevated on-track performance even further. Featuring an updated aerodynamic package and all-wheel drive (AWD) deployment during key race phases—such as race starts, qualifying duels, and Attack Mode—the Evo iteration produced unprecedented levels of speed and unpredictable racing. London will be the final showcase for this machine.
The upcoming Gen4 era represents the largest technological leap in Formula E history. In private manufacturer testing, Gen4 development cars have already topped 335 km/h (208 mph), featuring a 50% power increase in race trim. During Attack Mode, power output rises by 71% compared to current machinery. Boasting full-time AWD, up to 600 kW of power, and 0–100 km/h acceleration in roughly 1.8 seconds, lap times are projected to be up to 10 seconds faster on average.
Before that transition, the current Gen3 Evo grid will deliver one final championship fight—promising the hallmark traits of the era: close-quarters racing, strategic variance, and a title decided in the final corners.
Lucas Di Grassi Retires from Professional Racing
Having announced his retirement in April, Lucas Di Grassi will line up in London for the final races of a career inextricably linked to the birth of Formula E. The Brazilian pioneer was among the first drivers to commit to the project, playing a central role in developing the original Gen1 car.
Beyond being the championship’s early ambassador, Di Grassi won Formula E’s inaugural race in Beijing in 2014. Over 12 seasons, he accumulated 14 victories and 42 podiums across 163 starts, culminating in his Season 3 (2016/17) World Championship title.
Di Grassi’s farewell season demonstrated his enduring competitiveness. Driving the least competitive package on the grid, he maximized every point-scoring opportunity, highlighted by a redemption victory in Shanghai Race 2—the first win for the Lola Yamaha powertrain partnership.
With a legacy firmly secured, Di Grassi faces his final two starts as a professional driver, seeking to close his historic career on a high note.
Sébastien Buemi’s Uncertain Future
Another Formula E stalwart facing a potential exit is Sébastien Buemi. Alongside Di Grassi, the Swiss veteran is one of the few drivers to have competed in every Formula E season and holds a World Championship title of his own. With his Envision Racing contract expiring at the end of the season, no extension for 2026/27 has been confirmed.
The team’s driver picture has been further complicated by the impending arrival of Maximilian Günther. With at least one seat changing hands, Buemi’s place on the grid remains unconfirmed. Calendar conflicts between Formula E and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) remain an ongoing challenge for Buemi, who competes for Toyota Gazoo Racing in WEC—a scheduling overlap that notoriously cost him the 2016/17 FE title.
While Formula E adjusted the Monaco ePrix date to avoid clashing with the 6 Hours of Spa, a date conflict between the Shanghai double-header and the 6 Hours of São Paulo continues to pose logistics hurdles for dual-program drivers. Consequently, London may mark Buemi’s final appearance in the championship.
Mitch Evans and Jaguar: The End of a 10-Year Partnership
Among the weekend’s departures, few carry the emotional weight of Mitch Evans parting ways with Jaguar TCS Racing. Driver and team have been united since Jaguar entered the series in Season 3 (2016/17), building their entire FE history together. Their tenure produced numerous race wins and multiple title challenges, alongside heartbreak—most notably coming agonisingly close to the Drivers’ crown without ever securing it.
Evans and Jaguar will go their separate ways for the Gen4 era. Fittingly, their partnership concludes at the ExCeL Arena—the very venue where Evans saw his best championship chance slip away in Season 10 (2023/24). A victory in London would allow the New Zealander to close a decade-long chapter with the ultimate prize.
Andretti and Porsche Split Ahead of Gen4
The Gen3 era was heavily defined by the technical partnership between Andretti Formula E and Porsche. Across four seasons, the American squad utilized Porsche powertrains to great effect, highlighted by Jake Dennis winning the 2022/23 Drivers’ World Championship.
The relationship also supported Porsche’s manufacturers’ surge, securing back-to-back Manufacturers’ Trophies in 2024/25 and 2025/26. However, strain between the two organizations over technical development led to a split ahead of Gen4. Andretti has already signed a customer powertrain deal with Nissan for the next generation.
London represents the final race for the Andretti-Porsche alliance. With both Dennis and Wehrlein locked in the championship fight, the partnership could end on the ultimate high.
DS Automobiles Bids Farewell to Formula E
DS Automobiles, one of the most successful manufacturers in Formula E history, will exit the championship at the conclusion of the season. The London double-header marks the final outing for the French brand, bringing an end to a program that debuted in Season 2 (2015/16).
Across 11 seasons and multiple team partnerships, DS secured four World Championship titles—two Drivers’ titles with Jean-Éric Vergne and António Félix da Costa, and two Teams’ titles with Techeetah—alongside 18 wins and 55 podiums.
While its Gen3 partnership with Penske did not replicate the dominant era of DS Techeetah, DS Penske remained a consistent front-runner, claiming three wins and eight podiums. However, its 2025/26 campaign has proven difficult; the team sits ninth in the standings on 56 points, with a best finish of fourth by Taylor Barnard in Mexico City. DS will look for one final standout result before departing the grid.
The ExCeL Arena’s Final Race
The season finale also bids farewell to the ExCeL Arena. The unique indoor-outdoor venue cannot accommodate the higher speeds and power specs of Gen4 machinery, prompting Formula E to move the London ePrix to Brands Hatch starting next season.
The ExCeL circuit remains one of the most distinctive tracks in motorsport. Drivers transition from high-grip, smooth indoor exhibition hall flooring to abrasive outdoor asphalt, navigating dramatic surface changes, elevation shifts, and unpredictable weather conditions.
As the curtain falls on the 2025/26 season, the ExCeL Arena prepares to host one final title showdown, closing out the Gen3 era in dramatic fashion.
A Fórmula E retorna entre os dias 15 e 16 de agosto, com a última etapa da temporada 2025/26, a roda
