Monaco ePrix: Long-Awaited Wins, Technical Woes, Rain Drama, and Emotional Highs
Stepping off the train in Monaco, Monte-Carlo on Friday, it was immediately clear that something historic was about to unfold. The city buzzed with excitement, its streets lined with posters and digital displays announcing Formula E's first-ever double-header in the Principality. It felt like Monaco itself was calling out: “This is a moment you won’t want to miss.”
Over the course of two thrilling race days, the Monaco ePrix delivered standout performances, emotional podiums, high-speed drama, technical difficulties, and even a rain-soaked qualifying twist that left everyone stunned. Let's delve into it:
Saturday began bright and early with a 7:30 a.m. start, where British driver Dan Ticktum quickly made his mark. The CUPRA KIRO Racing Co. driver topped both free practice sessions and qualified third for Race 1 — a career-best result for the team. The presence of actor and team co-owner Idris Elba seemingly brought an extra spark to the garage.
Despite his strong start, the race "didn't quite go to plan", as Ticktum himself said in a post-race Instagram story. He finished the day in P7.
Sunday brought more drama for the Briton. Once again he reached the qualifying duels, but a technical issue limited him to only 300 kW of power instead of the usual 350 kW. His team radio during the quarter-final battle against Nyck de Vries reflected just that: frustration.
The newly introduced Pit Boost had its second showing in Monaco on the race on the first day, with the technical difficulties resulting in the loss of a likely win for Nico Müller. As explained by the Swiss Andretti driver, the "charger at the Pit Boost didn't work." Although there is a back-up procedure allowing the FIA to release virtual energy into the car if all protocols had been followed by the team, unfortunately for Müller and team, Monaco is a State of Charge (SoC)-limited race, meaning virtual energy is not recognised.
On Sunday, Sébastien Buemi claimed a landmark third victory on the streets of Monaco — having previously won in 2015 and 2017. The Envision Racing driver crossed the finish line with a commanding lead, earning his first win in nearly four years.
Visibly emotional during the podium celebrations, the Envision team principal Silvain Filippi joined Buemi on the podium, celebrating not just a win, but a resurgence of a team that has struggled to perform in recent times. With 14 career wins, Buemi now holds the record for the most victories in Formula E history, surpassing Mitch Evans and Lucas di Grassi, with whom he previously had tied in the number of wins. He also shattered the record for the longest gap between race wins in the series.
The Monaco weather added yet another layer of drama as rain swept over the circuit on Sunday.
During the Sunday qualifying duels, both DS Penske drivers, Jean-Éric Vergne and Maximilian Günther, were disqualified after failing to stay within track limits in their semi-final battle — a direct result of the slippery conditions caused by all the water still left on the track. With no winner of the duel and therefore no second finalist left to race, Oliver Rowland of Nissan was awarded pole position by default, marking a rare and unprecedented moment in Formula E history.
With Monaco’s close proximity to France, it was no surprise to hear the loudest cheers for French drivers Jean-Éric Vergne, Norman Nato, and French-speaking driver Sébastien Buemi. But in good Formula E fashion, the crowd’s support was heartfelt and generous for every driver, applauding those who had suffered setbacks or crashes.
One honourable mention has to be made for Norman Nato's head protection, as he wore a special helmet in tribute to his late friend Jules Bianchi. The design featured the face of the beloved French F1 driver, who was born in nearby Nice and tragically passed away in 2015. Though not present, Bianchi’s legacy was felt strongly throughout the whole event.
This really was an event for the history book for so many reasons. Formula E and the Principality continue to prove why they are a perfect match — a sentiment echoed by the Automobile Club de Monaco, which posted on Instagram:
“Rendez-vous en 2026. We already cannot wait to welcome as many of you as this year for the 2026 Monaco E-Prix.”
Will the Tokyo ePrix be equally dramatic? We won’t have to wait long to find out.
Next Formula E Race: Tokyo, Japan, May 17 & 18
For impressions from the Monaco ePrix you can check out photos on my X and Bluesky account.
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