CUPRA KIRO’s Dan Ticktum pounced through the penultimate corner to steal victory from Jake Dennis (Andretti Formula E) in the first-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Tokyo night race; with the pair heading home Nick Cassidy who sealed an emotional podium for Citroën Racing.
“To be honest, ending on the podium tonight is super tough, but it’s amazing,” commented Nick Cassidy, (#37 Citroën Racing). “The team has done a really good job with the car that they’ve given me since Free Practice 1. They gave me a great strategy and a great car. Everyone’s hurting right now, but I’m glad we could do our best in conditions like today.”
Starting from sixth on the grid, Ticktum executed an aggressive strategy, activating both PIT BOOST and ATTACK MODE early to emerge from the stops as the net race leader.
Despite Ticktum’s early charge, Dennis leveraged a late 50kW, all-wheel-drive boost on Lap 29 to overtake both Nick Cassidy and Ticktum, taking control of the race.
However, right at the last minute – through the penultimate turn, ahead of the final chicane, Ticktum spied his chance to overtake Dennis as the Andretti driver lifted early with energy levels critical. He made the move stick and led his British compatriot home to make it nine different winners in the last nine rounds, with the closest winning margin of the season – his second in Formula E.
The pair led home Cassidy; the New Zealander securing a podium on a poignant weekend for Citroën Racing following the tragic news of Team Principal Cyril Blais’ passing.
Standings leader Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche Formula E Team) tangled with rival António Félix da Costa (Jaguar TCS Racing) and failed to finish, which fired Dennis right back into the Drivers’ FIA World Championship mix. Jaguar’s Mitch Evans also profited, rounding fourth to hit top spot in the Drivers’ table – 144 points to Wehrlein’s 141. Edo Mortara took advantage, too, with a strong fifth-place finish.
Jaguar TCS Racing extended its Teams’ advantage over Porsche, with Porsche returning the favour in the Manufacturers’ standings.
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