Tokyo E-Prix sees Nick Cassidy’s double podium and Mahindra Racing victory
Nick Cassidy secures a double podium at the Tokyo E-Prix, dedicating his win to Cyril Blais. The New Zealander finished third in Round 14 and second in Round 15
Nick Cassidy after his double podium at Tokyo E-Prix: “We've been through some really tough times”
Nick Cassidy achieved a double podium finish at the Tokyo E-Prix, dedicating his performance to the late Citroen Racing team principal, Cyril Blais. The driver from New Zealand secured third place in Round 14 on Saturday and improved to second place in Round 15 on Sunday at the Tokyo Street Circuit.
In Round 14, Cassidy started from the seventh position and concluded the race in third, behind winner Dan Ticktum of Cupra Kiro and first runner-up Jake Dennis of Andretti. His performance on Sunday in Round 15 was stronger, as he climbed from a 13th-place start to finish second. Following his second consecutive podium, Cassidy expressed gratitude to Citroen Racing and Stellantis Motorsport, acknowledging their faith in him and their future plans. He also reflected on the recent challenges faced by the team, stating that the weekend’s results were particularly meaningful. Cassidy highlighted the significance of Tokyo to his career and the support he received from friends and Japanese fans.
Cassidy paid an emotional tribute to Cyril Blais, who passed away this month at the age of 46. While on the podium after finishing third in Round 14, Cassidy gestured upwards as he received his trophy. He later commented that achieving a podium finish was challenging but rewarding, crediting his team for providing a strong car and strategy. A video shared on Formula E‘s Instagram account showed Cassidy receiving the trophy with the caption, “That was for you, Cyril.” Fans and fellow driver Jake Dennis also acknowledged Cassidy‘s tribute and performance.
Mahindra Racing’s Strong Showing
Meanwhile, Mahindra Racing also had a notable weekend at the Tokyo E-Prix, with Nyck de Vries securing a victory in Sunday’s rain-affected race. This win marked the team’s second victory of the current campaign and their first multi-race victory campaign since the 2017/18 season. The result brought Mahindra Racing within one point of third place in the teams’ championship.
De Vries overcame a challenging start to achieve his sixth career Formula E victory. He capitalized on the changing weather conditions, executing a timed race strategy as the track transitioned from wet to dry. While de Vries celebrated, his teammate Edoardo Mortara experienced disappointment despite strong pace. Mortara secured his fourth pole position of the season, matching a Formula E record, but his race ended prematurely due to a multi-car collision in the closing stages.
Mahindra Racing‘s positive weekend began on Saturday, with Mortara qualifying second and maintaining a podium position for much of the race before finishing fifth. De Vries faced a setback with a puncture on the first lap, which dropped him to 17th and out of contention for points. Sunday’s race presented a different challenge, starting behind the Safety Car due to heavy rain. Mortara initially led from pole position once the green flags were shown. As the track dried, teams had to make strategic decisions regarding tire pressures and energy management. Mahindra Racing implemented contrasting strategies for its drivers, which proved to be a decisive factor.
Mortara lost positions as the race progressed, while de Vries adopted a patient approach, conserving energy early on. He activated his final six-minute Attack Mode at a crucial moment, allowing him to overtake several rivals and take the lead. A late red flag, caused by Mortara‘s accident, led to a dramatic one-lap sprint to the finish. Despite pressure from Nick Cassidy and Jake Dennis, de Vries secured the victory for Mahindra Racing.
Championship Implications and Upcoming Races
The victory earned Mahindra Racing 25 points from Sunday’s race, contributing to a total of 38 points across the Tokyo double-header. De Vries moved up to ninth in the drivers’ standings, while Mortara remained in fifth place despite his retirement. The team’s performance strengthened its position in the teams’ championship, accumulating 210 points and trailing third-placed Andretti by a single point.
The drivers will return to the track for the final two rounds of the season in the GEN3 Evo. The London E-Prix is scheduled for August 15 and 16, marking the grand finale of season 12.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Rohan Gupta
Sports Reporter
