2025 Shanghai E-Prix II Formula E Qualifying Results Unveiled

Wet weather created dramatic scenes during the 2025 Shanghai E-Prix II qualifying session, as heavy rain forced delays and a revised format at the Shanghai International Circuit.

After a 45-minute pause, organizers shortened qualifying to the group stages only, putting added pressure on drivers to deliver their best laps in limited time. Nick Cassidy took full advantage of the changing conditions, setting the fastest lap in the first group.

His time secured pole position for Jaguar, narrowly edging out Antonio Felix da Costa, who posted the quickest lap in the second group for Porsche.

Pascal Wehrlein will start from third on the grid, maintaining a strong showing for Porsche, while Lucas di Grassi qualified fourth in his Lola Yamaha ABT. Championship leader Oliver Rowland faced challenges in the rain and will begin the race from 17th.

Other notable starters include Jake Hughes in fifth for Maserati and Jean-Eric Vergne in sixth for DS Penske. Nyck de Vries secured seventh for Mahindra, with Stoffel Vandoorne lining up eighth for Maserati.

Maximilian Günther and Nico Müller rounded out the top ten, representing DS Penske and Andretti, respectively.

This qualifying session marked the 11th round of the 2025 Formula E season, and conditions tested the drivers’ ability to adapt quickly. The Shanghai International Circuit has a long history with international motorsport, but the heavy rain highlighted the challenges unique to electric racing.

Several drivers, including Zane Maloney and Mitch Evans, managed mid-pack starts, while established contenders like Sam Bird and Jake Dennis will have work to do after qualifying in the lower half.

For teams and fans, the updated schedule remained packed, with Free Practice 3 held in the morning, followed by qualifying and the main race at 13:00 local time.

Many spectators followed every moment through broadcast options or official digital platforms, hoping to catch race highlights and driver reactions to the unpredictable weather. Previous races in China, including those at Hong Kong and Sanya, saw varying strategies due to weather, but the intensity in Shanghai set a new bar for adaptability.

This event continues Formula E’s established presence in China, adding new storylines each season. Since its inaugural race in Beijing in 2014, the series has visited several cities and attracted a loyal following.

The Shanghai double-header provided teams with vital opportunities to score points and test strategies in different conditions.

As the grid prepares for the feature race, attention shifts to Cassidy and the front-row contenders. Drivers starting further back, like Rowland and Dennis, will aim to climb through the field and collect valuable points.

The stage is set for an action-packed round in Shanghai, with fortune favoring those able to adapt quickly as the season continues.

The heavy rain forced delays and a revised format reminiscent of the unpredictability seen in other motorsport events where strategies must adjust rapidly, similar to challenges faced in F1 races detailed in recent reports about Sainz’s Monaco fears.

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.