Antonio Felix Da Costa (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) managed his race to perfection and won the Shanghai E-Prix.
The Portuguese driver consistently stayed in the top three while conserving energy to have an advantage towards the sharp end of the race. He took the lead and upped the pace with six laps to go, not allowing anyone to challenge him for the position from there.
Pole sitter Jake Hughes (Neom McLaren Formula E Team) was second with Norman Nato (Andretti Formula E) completing the podium.
Championship leader Nick Cassidy (Jaguar TCS Racing) was fourth and extended his points advantage as his main title rival Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) finished outside the scoring positions following a puncture.
09:29
THANK YOU AND GOODBYE!
That's it for Formula E in Shanghai for this year - thanks for your company through today's race. The series now takes about a month's break before heading into it's final rounds, starting in Portland on 29 June - see you then!
09:25
NATO POST-RACE
"It's been very good, much better than yesterday. I feel like all this season, every time we tried to do something which looked correct to us, a small issue happened. And I said to the guys, let's not give up because we have the pace. In qualifying we manage to have the package, we manage to win the duels and be in front. But so far, it's been a long one. I've never had a season where nothing wanted to come together and it's not even pace-wise. And today, we didn't change anything and I just tried, and tried, and we didn't give up and it worked. So this feels good after all the hard work, and also fighting for the team championship it's very good points.
"Every race weekend it's possible, it's Formula E. Every season I did in Formula E I got at least a podium or a win, so you know. I just need to prove what I'm able to do. Today it was a really smart race from Antonio [Felix Da Costa] and Jake [Hughes], we worked together which also made our lives easier compared to when you are in the pack and it's not really under control, it's not really your race. Whereas today we had the pace and honestly, I didn't even try to fight Antonio [Felix Da Costa] because he was just doing a really smart race. And on my side, step by step I will make it, but it was very important to recreate a good dynamic, a good spirit with everyone and now we are reaching the end of the season, so points are really important if you want to fight for the top three [in the team's championship]. It starts from today; Jake [Dennis] so far did some really good scoring in some races where we didn't look the best, so I'm really pleased with today. It's my turn to score the points for the team."
09:11
HUGHES POST-RACE
"I'm over the moon! It feels like it's been a long time coming; back in the first race in Mexico last season, we finished fourth on the road, I felt like we could have got the podium that day. So after whatever many races it's been, it's about time.
"[My 30th birthday on Thursday] is going to be a good day, well, hopefully, tonight is going to be an even better day. The team all deserve it, the last few months have been hard on everyone; not scoring the points and it's been a very busy schedule. So I'm so happy they get to have some success."
09:04
DA COSTA POST-RACE
"I love it, I love to come back swinging after some tough times. Yesterday sucked, really, how we lost those points at the end, but I'm super happy to be able to perform like this today. The car was in such a good window. There was a lot of management going on out there, with the energy first and the temperature after that - it's super hot today! It's great to also have an Andretti with a Porsche powertrain here on the podium, that shows that we're still the brand to beat.
"There's a lot of things [you need to be able to reset after things go wrong]. I think having the right people around you is the number one priority. And yeah, when times get tough, the tough get going, so that's how I look at it. Everybody goes through tough times and luckily for me, my tough times are when a racing car is not performing well. You need to put everything in perspective and I'm such a lucky guy to call this my job. Today will be about celebrating. It's good to have a couple of weeks off now before Portland - we'll just keep going until the end now."
28/28
DA COSTA WINS IN SHANGHAI
Indeed, Da Costa brings home the win with hardly an energy left. Hughes is second with Nato completing the podium.
28/28
POSITIONS ESTABLISHED
Barring disaster, the front positions are established with some gaps between the top drivers now.
27/28
TOO LITTLE TOO LATE AGAIN FOR CASSIDY
Cassidy has again pulled a blinder in terms of energy, but it looks like he again won't be able to put it into effect on track.
26/28
SEVEN TENTHS AT THE FRONT
It's now .7 of a second separating Da Costa and Hughes. Nato is another second back with Cassidy chasing him at another .6 deficit.
25/28
FIELD STRETCHES OUT
There are some small gaps within the top five now.
24/28
DA COSTA ON TRACK
The gap between Da Costa and Hughes hasn't changed much, but the virtual race engineer tells us that with his pace and energy, Da Costa is on course to winning the race.
23/28
JAGUAR STRATEGY
The Jaguars have superior energy, but it looks like they have to do something quickly with Da Costa currently in command at the front.
22/28
DA COSTA SEEKS BREAK
Now Da Costa is pushing the envelope trying to bolt. He has an energy advantage over Hughes and Nato, it's still only the Jaguars in fourth and fifth that are looking better.
21/28
DA COSTA DEFENDS LEAD
Da Costa is not giving Hughes an inch now, but he also doesn't look inclined to try make a break for it.
20/28
HUGHES CHARGES
Having made his way past Nato, Hughes is eyeing up Da Costa for the lead.
19/28
CONTACT
Cassidy and Hughes make contact through the opening turns, leaving some damage on the Jaguar's front wing.
18/28
CASSIDY CHARGES
Cassidy makes his way up the order into fourth and eyes up Hughes for third.
17/28
DA COSTA STRATEGY
Da Costa has taken over at the front and is informed that only the Jaguars have more energy left than him.
He is not looking keen to make a break at this point though.
16/28
ENERGY CHECK
It's advantage Da Costa, Cassidy, and Evans in terms of energy. In contrast, it's not looking too good for Nato, having led for large parts, and quite poorly for Vandoorne who engaged in prolonged battles with Hughes.
15/28
SLIGHT BREAK AT THE FRONT
The smallest of gaps looks to be opening between Nato and Da Costa and the rest of the field. Hughes currently heads the chase.
14/28
HOW DO I WATCH FORMULA E ON TNT SPORTS? WHAT IS DISCOVERY+?
The 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship roared into life with the season-opening race in Mexico City on Saturday, January 13, with all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
13/28
NATO LEADING AGAIN
Da Costa swiftly handed the lead back to Nato and the Andretti driver looks fairly contend again to hold the position.
12/28
WEHRLEIN IN THE PITS
Wehrlein heads to the pits with a puncture. The day just keeps getting worse for the Porsche driver whose race never really got going.
11/28
ATTACK MODE DA COSTA
One of the last drivers needing to deploy their second attack mode, Da Costa now goes wide,
10/28
DA COSTA TAKES THE LEAD
Nato now reacts to his growing energy deficit and surrenders the lead to Da Costa.
9/28
ADVANTAGE DA COSTA
Da Costa is managing this beautifully so far, always sitting somewhere near the sharp end of the race but conserving energy.
8/28
NATO KEEN TO LEAD
Interestingly, Nato looks rather happy to lead this race, despite this not being the most efficient strategy on paper.
7/28
FASTER RACE THAN YESTERDAY
What the drivers are doing now is already quicker than the fastest lap yesterday.
6/28
GROUPS FORM
We have a bit of a group of nine forming at the front but Vergne in 11th is trying desperately to overtake Wehrlein for 10th and close the gap right back down.
5/28
CHANGES UP AND DOWN THE ORDER
That's more of the ever-changing order we expected now. However, Nato continues to lead.
4/28
NATO ON THE CHARGE
Nice moves from Nato through the opening turns to work his way up the order. As Vandoorne goes wide for attack mode, Nato inherits the lead.
3/28
ATTACK MODES
A couple of drivers deploy their first attack modes, the exception being Vandoorne and Da Costa in first and second as well as Evans.
2/28
QUIET OPENING LAPS
It's a very controlled start to the race with no attack modes deployed and few fights for position.
1/28
VANDOORNE STEALS HOLSESHOT
Vandoorne has the best get-away at lights out and takes P1 off Hughes. Meanwhile, both Jaguar drivers have lost positions.
08:02
WEATHER REPORT
It's very hot and sticky in Shanghai today - this will be a challenging one for the drivers.
08:00
HOW DO I WATCH FORMULA E ON TNT SPORTS? WHAT IS DISCOVERY+?
The 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship roared into life with the season-opening race in Mexico City on Saturday, January 13, with all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
07:55
WHAT HAPPENED IN QUALIFYING
McLaren's Jake Hughes bagged his second pole position of the season, beating Stoffel Vandoorne by just 0.001 of a second.
Jake Hughes
Stoffel Vandoorne
Antonio Felix Da Costa
Nyck De Vries
Nick Cassidy
Mitch Evans
Norman Nato
Oliver Rowland
Jean-Eric Vergne
Maximilian Guenther
07:50
WHAT HAPPENED IN YESTERDAY'S E-PRIX
Mitch Evans secured a dramatic victory at the first Shanghai E-Prix after he overtook Pascal Wehrlein in the final lap. Wehrlein was leading the race with three laps to go back but it was Evans who stole the lead into the final lap with Nick Cassidy also pushing both drivers to the limit. Evans was able to hold on to claim his second victory of the current season.
Good morning and welcome to our live text coverage of Part 2 of a Shanghai double-header. Formula E is back in China after a four year absence and for the first time the paddock will be taking to the popular Shanghai International Circuit. Already yesterday we saw plenty of side-by-side racing on the wide, flowing track and it should be more of the same today - who will reign supreme in China? We're about to find out!
07:45
Shanghai E-Prix Live - Hughes starts from pole in second part of Shanghai double-header
Shanghai ePrix
DA COSTA CLAIMS VICTORY IN SHANGHAI
Antonio Felix Da Costa (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) managed his race to perfection and won the Shanghai E-Prix.
The Portuguese driver consistently stayed in the top three while conserving energy to have an advantage towards the sharp end of the race. He took the lead and upped the pace with six laps to go, not allowing anyone to challenge him for the position from there.
Pole sitter Jake Hughes (Neom McLaren Formula E Team) was second with Norman Nato (Andretti Formula E) completing the podium.
Championship leader Nick Cassidy (Jaguar TCS Racing) was fourth and extended his points advantage as his main title rival Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) finished outside the scoring positions following a puncture.
THANK YOU AND GOODBYE!
That's it for Formula E in Shanghai for this year - thanks for your company through today's race. The series now takes about a month's break before heading into it's final rounds, starting in Portland on 29 June - see you then!
NATO POST-RACE
"It's been very good, much better than yesterday. I feel like all this season, every time we tried to do something which looked correct to us, a small issue happened. And I said to the guys, let's not give up because we have the pace. In qualifying we manage to have the package, we manage to win the duels and be in front. But so far, it's been a long one. I've never had a season where nothing wanted to come together and it's not even pace-wise. And today, we didn't change anything and I just tried, and tried, and we didn't give up and it worked. So this feels good after all the hard work, and also fighting for the team championship it's very good points.
"Every race weekend it's possible, it's Formula E. Every season I did in Formula E I got at least a podium or a win, so you know. I just need to prove what I'm able to do. Today it was a really smart race from Antonio [Felix Da Costa] and Jake [Hughes], we worked together which also made our lives easier compared to when you are in the pack and it's not really under control, it's not really your race. Whereas today we had the pace and honestly, I didn't even try to fight Antonio [Felix Da Costa] because he was just doing a really smart race. And on my side, step by step I will make it, but it was very important to recreate a good dynamic, a good spirit with everyone and now we are reaching the end of the season, so points are really important if you want to fight for the top three [in the team's championship]. It starts from today; Jake [Dennis] so far did some really good scoring in some races where we didn't look the best, so I'm really pleased with today. It's my turn to score the points for the team."
HUGHES POST-RACE
"I'm over the moon! It feels like it's been a long time coming; back in the first race in Mexico last season, we finished fourth on the road, I felt like we could have got the podium that day. So after whatever many races it's been, it's about time.
"[My 30th birthday on Thursday] is going to be a good day, well, hopefully, tonight is going to be an even better day. The team all deserve it, the last few months have been hard on everyone; not scoring the points and it's been a very busy schedule. So I'm so happy they get to have some success."
DA COSTA POST-RACE
"I love it, I love to come back swinging after some tough times. Yesterday sucked, really, how we lost those points at the end, but I'm super happy to be able to perform like this today. The car was in such a good window. There was a lot of management going on out there, with the energy first and the temperature after that - it's super hot today! It's great to also have an Andretti with a Porsche powertrain here on the podium, that shows that we're still the brand to beat.
"There's a lot of things [you need to be able to reset after things go wrong]. I think having the right people around you is the number one priority. And yeah, when times get tough, the tough get going, so that's how I look at it. Everybody goes through tough times and luckily for me, my tough times are when a racing car is not performing well. You need to put everything in perspective and I'm such a lucky guy to call this my job. Today will be about celebrating. It's good to have a couple of weeks off now before Portland - we'll just keep going until the end now."
DA COSTA WINS IN SHANGHAI
Indeed, Da Costa brings home the win with hardly an energy left. Hughes is second with Nato completing the podium.
POSITIONS ESTABLISHED
Barring disaster, the front positions are established with some gaps between the top drivers now.
TOO LITTLE TOO LATE AGAIN FOR CASSIDY
Cassidy has again pulled a blinder in terms of energy, but it looks like he again won't be able to put it into effect on track.
SEVEN TENTHS AT THE FRONT
It's now .7 of a second separating Da Costa and Hughes. Nato is another second back with Cassidy chasing him at another .6 deficit.
FIELD STRETCHES OUT
There are some small gaps within the top five now.
DA COSTA ON TRACK
The gap between Da Costa and Hughes hasn't changed much, but the virtual race engineer tells us that with his pace and energy, Da Costa is on course to winning the race.
JAGUAR STRATEGY
The Jaguars have superior energy, but it looks like they have to do something quickly with Da Costa currently in command at the front.
DA COSTA SEEKS BREAK
Now Da Costa is pushing the envelope trying to bolt. He has an energy advantage over Hughes and Nato, it's still only the Jaguars in fourth and fifth that are looking better.
DA COSTA DEFENDS LEAD
Da Costa is not giving Hughes an inch now, but he also doesn't look inclined to try make a break for it.
HUGHES CHARGES
Having made his way past Nato, Hughes is eyeing up Da Costa for the lead.
CONTACT
Cassidy and Hughes make contact through the opening turns, leaving some damage on the Jaguar's front wing.
CASSIDY CHARGES
Cassidy makes his way up the order into fourth and eyes up Hughes for third.
DA COSTA STRATEGY
Da Costa has taken over at the front and is informed that only the Jaguars have more energy left than him.
He is not looking keen to make a break at this point though.
ENERGY CHECK
It's advantage Da Costa, Cassidy, and Evans in terms of energy. In contrast, it's not looking too good for Nato, having led for large parts, and quite poorly for Vandoorne who engaged in prolonged battles with Hughes.
SLIGHT BREAK AT THE FRONT
The smallest of gaps looks to be opening between Nato and Da Costa and the rest of the field. Hughes currently heads the chase.
HOW DO I WATCH FORMULA E ON TNT SPORTS? WHAT IS DISCOVERY+?
The 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship roared into life with the season-opening race in Mexico City on Saturday, January 13, with all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
NATO LEADING AGAIN
Da Costa swiftly handed the lead back to Nato and the Andretti driver looks fairly contend again to hold the position.
WEHRLEIN IN THE PITS
Wehrlein heads to the pits with a puncture. The day just keeps getting worse for the Porsche driver whose race never really got going.
ATTACK MODE DA COSTA
One of the last drivers needing to deploy their second attack mode, Da Costa now goes wide,
DA COSTA TAKES THE LEAD
Nato now reacts to his growing energy deficit and surrenders the lead to Da Costa.
ADVANTAGE DA COSTA
Da Costa is managing this beautifully so far, always sitting somewhere near the sharp end of the race but conserving energy.
NATO KEEN TO LEAD
Interestingly, Nato looks rather happy to lead this race, despite this not being the most efficient strategy on paper.
FASTER RACE THAN YESTERDAY
What the drivers are doing now is already quicker than the fastest lap yesterday.
GROUPS FORM
We have a bit of a group of nine forming at the front but Vergne in 11th is trying desperately to overtake Wehrlein for 10th and close the gap right back down.
CHANGES UP AND DOWN THE ORDER
That's more of the ever-changing order we expected now. However, Nato continues to lead.
NATO ON THE CHARGE
Nice moves from Nato through the opening turns to work his way up the order. As Vandoorne goes wide for attack mode, Nato inherits the lead.
ATTACK MODES
A couple of drivers deploy their first attack modes, the exception being Vandoorne and Da Costa in first and second as well as Evans.
QUIET OPENING LAPS
It's a very controlled start to the race with no attack modes deployed and few fights for position.
VANDOORNE STEALS HOLSESHOT
Vandoorne has the best get-away at lights out and takes P1 off Hughes. Meanwhile, both Jaguar drivers have lost positions.
WEATHER REPORT
It's very hot and sticky in Shanghai today - this will be a challenging one for the drivers.
HOW DO I WATCH FORMULA E ON TNT SPORTS? WHAT IS DISCOVERY+?
The 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship roared into life with the season-opening race in Mexico City on Saturday, January 13, with all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
WHAT HAPPENED IN QUALIFYING
McLaren's Jake Hughes bagged his second pole position of the season, beating Stoffel Vandoorne by just 0.001 of a second.
WHAT HAPPENED IN YESTERDAY'S E-PRIX
Mitch Evans secured a dramatic victory at the first Shanghai E-Prix after he overtook Pascal Wehrlein in the final lap. Wehrlein was leading the race with three laps to go back but it was Evans who stole the lead into the final lap with Nick Cassidy also pushing both drivers to the limit. Evans was able to hold on to claim his second victory of the current season.
Read all about it:
HELLO AND WELCOME
Good morning and welcome to our live text coverage of Part 2 of a Shanghai double-header. Formula E is back in China after a four year absence and for the first time the paddock will be taking to the popular Shanghai International Circuit. Already yesterday we saw plenty of side-by-side racing on the wide, flowing track and it should be more of the same today - who will reign supreme in China? We're about to find out!
Shanghai E-Prix Live - Hughes starts from pole in second part of Shanghai double-header