2025 Shanghai E-Prix Qualifying Results: Key Moments and Top Drivers

The 2025 Shanghai E-Prix qualifying session delivered a close and dramatic contest as Formula E returned to the famous Shanghai International Circuit. Maximilian Günther was flawless in the duels, clinching pole position for DS Penske with a final lap of 1:08.234.

This performance denied McLaren’s Taylor Barnard, who continues to impress during his debut season, a front row start. With this result, Günther lines up first ahead of Barnard, setting the stage for an exciting race in Shanghai.

Defending world champion Pascal Wehrlein posted a fast lap to secure third place in his Porsche. His consistency through the rounds kept him ahead of Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy, who qualified fourth after a solid display.

Nyck de Vries, representing Mahindra, managed fifth place, followed closely by Nissan’s Oliver Rowland in sixth and Andretti’s Jake Dennis in seventh. David Beckmann, driving for Cupra Kiro, rounded out the top eight qualifiers with a strong showing.

One of the key storylines was Mitch Evans of Jaguar, who qualified last due to a heavy grid penalty. Evans was penalized after changing several power unit components and will start the race from the back, serving a 10-second stop-and-go penalty.

His situation underscores the strategic decisions teams must navigate during the long Formula E calendar. Meanwhile, Jean-Eric Vergne, Günther’s teammate at DS Penske, secured tenth, aiming for a valuable points finish on race day.

Shanghai has hosted international motorsport events for years, and Formula E’s double-header on May 31 and June 1 keeps the momentum going for electric racing in China. The series first launched in 2014 in Beijing and has since expanded to other Chinese cities, including Hong Kong and Sanya, before returning to Shanghai for this landmark event.

Fans can follow the entire season with TV or streaming options, and the Formula E app offers real-time updates and exclusive content.

The official starting grid features drivers from a wide mix of nationalities and teams. Notable contenders outside the top ten include Edoardo Mortara of Mahindra in eleventh, Sam Bird for McLaren in twelfth, and Robin Frijns of Envision in sixteenth.

Antonio Felix da Costa starts seventeenth for Porsche, while Zane Maloney and Lucas di Grassi, racing for Lola Yamaha ABT, complete the lower grid spots. The results reflect the competitive and unpredictable nature of the all-electric championship.

With races scheduled across multiple continents, Formula E continues to attract global attention. Shanghai’s fast layout and the city’s racing heritage make it a perfect fit for the series.

As the season progresses, every qualifying result and race outcome will be vital in shaping the championship battle. The anticipation is building for fans as the green lights prepare to signal the start of round ten.

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.