Heavy Rain Forces Full Formula E Shanghai Schedule Overhaul

Heavy rain is changing the entire schedule for Formula E in Shanghai after forecasts predicted up to 58 mm of rain throughout Sunday. Organizers have moved all track sessions earlier in the day to avoid the worst weather and keep the races as safe as possible.

The Shanghai E-Prix marks the third straight city on the Formula E calendar impacted by rain, following wet events in Berlin and Tokyo. Maximilian Günther secured a victory in the opening race this weekend, while Jean-Eric Vergne helped DS Penske achieve their first Formula E one-two finish, making Saturday’s results especially significant for the team.

Image credit: The Race

The incoming rain comes just two weeks after rainfall in Tokyo led to qualifying being cancelled, forcing teams and drivers to adjust their plans on the fly. For Shanghai, Formula E, the FIA, and competing manufacturers worked together to roll out a revised timetable in response to detailed weather data.

This quick action focused on maximizing fans’ experience while maintaining safety for drivers and all personnel working at the circuit. According to the new local schedule, all of Sunday’s sessions will begin earlier than planned.

Free Practice 3 is set to start at 07:00 am local time, with qualifying following at 09:00 am and the main race beginning at 13:04 pm. These changes aim to finish on-track action well ahead of the heaviest forecasted showers and to make use of the best daylight conditions, reducing the chance for rain-related delays or interruptions.

Safety remains the main concern for everyone involved. Formula E officials emphasized their commitment to prioritizing both the racing spectacle and the wellbeing of fans and staff.

Image credit: e-Formula News

Track conditions in wet weather can make electric racing more challenging, as drivers navigate low grip and reduced visibility. The ability to adapt the timetable quickly shows how motorsport organizations respond to natural elements that can impact competition in unpredictable ways. This is similar to how teams in F1 have to adjust to changing regulations and aerodynamic setups, such as managing the impact of a flexi wing on race performance.

Shanghai’s revised Formula E schedule follows a pattern seen earlier in the season, highlighting how weather is influencing the championship. In Tokyo, rain wiped out qualifying, while in Berlin changing conditions produced dramatic racing.

Teams must be ready to adapt, with engineers and strategists recalculating everything from tire strategy to energy management. The focus now turns to the second Shanghai race and whether the weather will create unexpected results or provide an advantage to particular drivers. This adaptability reflects the broader challenges racing teams face, including responding to technical and regulatory changes like recent FIA rule changes.

With the new schedule in place, fans and teams will be watching closely to see how the rain shapes the outcome of the 2025 Hankook Shanghai E-Prix. Everyone is hoping for a safe event and exciting racing under changing skies.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.