Earlier this month marked 10 years because the first Formulation E race was held in Beijing, and since then there was no scarcity of drivers with various skills who’ve tried their hand within the all-electric championship.
This features a Formulation 1 world champion, Le Mans 24 Hours race winners and Indy 500 victors, however not all made the grade and even fewer have made it to the very pinnacle of the championship.
PLUS: Formulation E’s most memorable races: Electrical world championship turns 10
Basing the listing on outright success, profession longevity and quite a few different caveats, right here is our prime 10 choice.
Begins: 102
Wins: 2
Poles: 2
Championships: 0
Robin Frijns has impressed together with his consistency within the collection
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos
Statistically the least profitable of the drivers to make this listing and even in contrast in opposition to some who didn’t, Robin Frijns scrapes into the highest 10 by advantage of by no means actually having a automobile to match his undoubted expertise.
It’s no coincidence that in a season the place Sebastien Buemi and Lucas di Grassi dominated, Frijns was named as Autosport’s primary driver for the 2015-16 marketing campaign – his first within the all-electric championship that yielded a podium in simply his second race, crabbing his technique to an unimaginable third in Putrajaya with damaged suspension.
After outperforming the Amlin Andretti gear at his disposal for a second season and resoundingly beating team-mate and future champion Antonio Felix da Costa, the Dutchman made the soar to Virgin Envision the place he loved his most profitable marketing campaign so far within the 2018-19 season.
Victories in a moist Paris race and the New York season finale – so far his solely wins in Formulation E – allowed him to beat team-mate Sam Chook and propelled him as much as fourth within the drivers’ standings, which stays his highest place.
One other three seasons with Envision yielded eight extra podiums, six of which had been within the runner-up place, earlier than transferring to Abt Cupra for the 2022-23 marketing campaign having constructed up an affiliation with the squad within the DTM.
The marketing campaign was nearly a write-off, although, Frijns struggling a horrific hand harm within the opening Mexico Metropolis E-Prix that left him out of 4 races, whereas the underperforming Mahindra powertrain meant outcomes had been few and much between on his return, save for the shock of the season as he took pole from team-mate Nico Muller throughout a moist qualifying in Berlin.
A transfer again to Envision final time period coincided with the reigning groups’ champion struggling for tempo and outcomes, however Frijns nonetheless showcased glimpses of his true potential – going toe-to-toe with title favorite Nick Cassidy in Diriyah earlier than securing one other two runner-up spots in Portland.
9. Sam Chook
Begins: 125
Wins: 12
Poles: 6
Championships: 0
Chook has discovered success with a number of groups throughout Formulation E’s lifespan
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
Considered one of simply 5 drivers to have competed in all 10 seasons of Formulation E, Sam Chook stays the one one with out a title to his identify regardless of sitting third-equal on the all-time race winners’ listing.
The Briton grew to become synonymous with the DS Virgin workforce throughout the early years of the championship as spectacular velocity together with robust outcomes meant he by no means completed decrease than fifth within the standings throughout the first 4 seasons.
The final of these was arguably his finest, as wins within the Hong Kong season-opener and Rome, plus just one non-score in 12 races, meant he went to the ultimate spherical with a shot on the title earlier than slipping to 3rd total.
A workforce rebrand to Envision Virgin Racing for the beginning of the Gen2 period did little to enhance outcomes over the next two seasons, although, regardless of the occasional win and podiums, as Chook managed solely ninth and tenth respectively within the standings.
A transfer to Jaguar for 2020-21 started strongly with a win in Diriyah on the second race and an extra victory in New York helped Chook to sixth within the desk, simply three factors behind new team-mate Mitch Evans and an extra 9 behind champion Nyck de Vries.
His sophomore marketing campaign with the British model proved harder and was the primary time in his Formulation E profession that Chook completed a season with out no less than one victory. Not solely that however there was not a single rostrum, as Chook ended the marketing campaign a spherical early after breaking his hand in a crash on the London assembly.
There have been flashes of velocity on his return in 2022-23 with 4 podiums, however twice punting out championship challenger and team-mate Evans in the end meant Chook sought new employment with McLaren final season.
With a brand new lease of life carrying papaya colors, Chook secured the workforce its maiden Formulation E victory and his first for nearly three years with a shocking final-lap move on previous stablemate Evans in Sao Paulo to breathe new life into the 37-year-old’s waning profession.
Begins: 80
Wins: 7
Poles: 6
Championships: 1 (2024)
Wehrlein grew to become world champion in the latest Formulation E season
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
The newest of the 9 Formulation E champions, Pascal Wehrlein’s Formulation E tenure has been brief as compared with others on this listing however nonetheless reasonably profitable.
The German joined the championship firstly of the 2018-19 season with Mahindra off the again of two lacklustre seasons in Formulation 1 with Manor and Sauber however immediately started to make a reputation for himself in Formulation E.
A powerful podium on simply his second outing in Santiago was adopted by pole in Mexico Metropolis however Wehrlein fell simply metres in need of successful earlier than working out of power to create one of the memorable finishes in Formulation E historical past.
Formulation E’s most memorable races: Electrical world championship turns 10
A number of extra factors finishes meant the 2015 DTM champion ended his maiden season twelfth within the standings, simply 9 factors behind extra skilled team-mate Jerome d’Ambrosio regardless of lacking the opening spherical. Having left Mahindra throughout the COVID-19 enforced break the next season, Wehrlein discovered himself with the manufacturing facility Porsche workforce for 2020-21 and that’s the place he has spent the previous 4 years of his profession.
A tactical masterclass assured Wehrlein and Porsche’s first Formulation E win in Mexico Metropolis in 2022 with team-mate Andre Lotterer serving to to safe a historic 1-2 for the German producer. However there have been no extra podiums as Wehrlein completed just one spot higher than the earlier marketing campaign with tenth total earlier than he and Porsche hit the bottom working firstly of the Gen3 period in 2023.
A double win on the second spherical in Diriyah coupled with a podium from the opening Mexico Metropolis race propelled Wehrlein into championship competition and he held an outdoor probability on the last spherical, having solely non-scored as soon as in 16 races through an extra win in Jakarta.
It appeared like being the same story final season, regardless of two wins, as Nick Cassidy and Jaguar appeared destined for the title, however a near-perfect last weekend in London underneath essentially the most intense strain showcased Wehrlein at his finest and why he was as soon as on the books of Mercedes and Ferrari.
7. Nick Cassidy
Begins: 63
Wins: 7
Poles: 6
Championships: 0
Cassidy has been massively spectacular since becoming a member of the grid
Photograph by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Photos
Only a lap-and-a-half away from a primary Formulation E title and a spot larger up on this listing, Nick Cassidy has confirmed himself to be one of many championship’s strongest drivers in current seasons.
The Kiwi has the best win price (11.11%) and laps led (12.41%) of any driver on this prime 10 having solely spent 4 seasons within the championship, two of which he has emerged as a real championship challenger.
Off the again of Tremendous GT (2017) and Tremendous Formulation (2019) titles, Cassidy joined Envision for the 2020-21 season as he obtained in control within the championship, the spotlight being two runner-up finishes in Puebla and New York.
The latter vacation spot proved to be the scene of his breakthrough victory the next yr, however solely after he was reinstated into first as a mid-race downpour despatched him and others skating off the observe and into the limitations earlier than the purple flags flew. An extra podium adopted in London, however an absence of consistency meant he as soon as once more didn’t beat team-mate Robin Frijns as Cassidy completed outdoors the highest 10 within the last standings.
The beginning of the brand new Gen3 period and use of the Jaguar powertrain reworked Cassidy right into a title contender throughout 2023 as he claimed 4 wins throughout the marketing campaign, notably in Monaco and a moist London season finale. A collision with long-time buddy Mitch Evans on the penultimate spherical in Rome in the end value Cassidy the title as he completed runner-up, earlier than transferring to associate his fellow Kiwi on the manufacturing facility Jaguar workforce final time period.
Dominant wins in Diriyah and Berlin in addition to six additional podiums put him getting ready to the title once more however spinning from the lead on the penultimate lap in Portland proved pricey as three non-scores within the last 4 races as soon as extra denied him a primary title.
Begins: 63
Wins: 6
Poles: 6
Championships: 1 (2023)
Dennis is the second champion on our listing and was a technical challenge away from difficult for a second title
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos
However for a technical drawback that pitched him into the wall throughout the title-deciding 2021 Berlin E-Prix, Jake Dennis might properly have walked away with the crown in his rookie Formulation E season after a powerful marketing campaign.
The Briton, who stays a Purple Bull Formulation 1 simulator and growth driver, made his mark with the BMW Andretti squad, claiming victory in simply his sixth race in Valencia and standing on the highest step once more on residence soil in London to deliver the title inside attain via consistency. Regardless of lacking out by simply eight factors, additional notable outcomes adopted the subsequent yr as he took a win and second place in London and two extra podiums allowed him to complete sixth total.
The Gen3 period supplied a chance for Dennis to grow to be a title challenger once more with the assistance of the Porsche powertrain as he took a dominant win within the Mexico Metropolis season opener and two runner-up spots subsequent trip in Diriyah. A spell of 4 races throughout practically three months with out scoring a single level put his championship credentials unsure, although, earlier than happening a exceptional run of 5 podiums in a row that propelled him again into the title combat.
A lights-to-flag efficiency on the penultimate spherical in Rome put him on the cusp of the title and, after surviving two late purple flags, second place in London was sufficient for him to assert the honours.
Formulation E champions look again: Electrical world championship turns 10
His efforts to retain his crown started strongly sufficient final season, as he took one of the dominant wins in Formulation E historical past by 13s in Diriyah. However it was to be his solely victory all season and, though he secured three extra podiums within the opening half of the yr, the shopper Andretti workforce lacked the event of manufacturing facility outfit Porsche and Dennis by no means stood on the podium once more as his title tilt light.
5. Mitch Evans
Begins: 111
Wins: 12
Poles: 9
Championships: 0
Evans might be the championship’s most unfortunate driver, however that does not imply his success hasn’t been observed
Photograph by: Alexander Trienitz
“At all times the bridesmaid, by no means the bride” appears to be the unofficial motto of Mitch Evans’s time in Formulation E, having come so near successful the drivers’ title however by no means fairly making it throughout an eight-year tenure.
The 2012 GP3 champion has grow to be synonymous with Jaguar throughout that interval, becoming a member of the championship similtaneously the British producer in 2016 and the place he has spent his total profession. Throughout that point Evans has gone to the ultimate spherical of the season in with a shot of the title on a minimum of 4 events however fallen brief every time, usually via a mix of mechanical issues, poor technique or being an outdoor wager.
The fledgling operation and Evans rapidly obtained in control, registering factors at simply the fourth time of asking in Mexico Metropolis earlier than the primary podium got here the next season in Hong Kong. The Gen2 period started with the primary win in Rome and two additional podiums in Bern and New York meant fifth total within the standings, adopted by seventh and one other win the subsequent yr previous to his title tilts.
Simply 9 factors separated Evans from the accolade in 2020-21 after a automobile drawback left his Jaguar stranded on the beginning grid of the essential finale earlier than he was collected at high-speed by Edoardo Mortara. He completed runner-up the yr after though a way behind eventual champion Stoffel Vandoorne following a marketing campaign that consisted of 4 wins, together with a brace in Rome.
He was as soon as once more an outdoor wager for the title firstly of the Gen3 period heading to the ultimate spherical in London, Evans having clawed again a 66-point deficit within the standings from the opening rounds. There have been 4 extra wins however a mistake that launched him excessive of title rival Nick Cassidy on the penultimate spherical in the end handed the title to Jake Dennis.
A extra practical shot at glory got here final time period as he headed into the London finale stage on factors with eventual champion Pascal Wehrlein after two wins, together with lastly in Monaco having come shut prior to now. However a less-than-optimal power technique in each London races meant Evans needed to observe Wehrlein residence every time as he in the end fell brief once more by six factors.
4. Antonio Felix da Costa
Begins: 128
Wins: 12
Poles: 8
Championships: 1 (2019-20)
Da Costa has cast a profitable profession within the championship, taking his solely title in Season 6
Photograph by: James Sutton / Motorsport Photos
Victory on simply his third look in Formulation E showcased maybe what Formulation 1 had missed with Antonio Felix da Costa, the Purple Bull-backed driver having by no means been given the chance he most likely deserved within the prime flight.
Underfinanced and underdeveloped vehicles meant that was nearly as good because it obtained initially for da Costa, although, as his second season with Crew Aguri and first two campaigns with Andretti didn’t yield any podiums not to mention victories on the shut of the Gen1 period.
BMW backing for Gen2 within the 2018-19 season allowed for an enchancment in outcomes, as da Costa gained first trip with the brand new mixture in Diriyah and three extra podiums helped him to sixth within the drivers’ standings in addition to prompting a transfer to the reigning groups’ champion.
Becoming a member of DS Techeetah for 2019-20, da Costa discovered himself not solely in a race-winning workforce but additionally partnered alongside reigning and two-time champion Jean-Eric Vergne. In one thing of a ‘sink or swim’ state of affairs, the Portuguese driver dismissed any doubts by taking two runner-up finishes after which successful in Marrakesh to determine himself as a title favorite just for a three-month hiatus as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
A run of six races inside 9 days in Berlin adopted as da Costa sealed a double off the bat, which in the end paved the way in which for his title success as he stays the one driver to safe the title with a spherical to spare.
Thereafter, da Costa’s time in Formulation E has been one among pure brilliance and perplexing disappointment, taking only one win in every of the subsequent two seasons and eighth each occasions within the standings to see out his DS Techeetah and Gen2 days.
Employed by Porsche for the beginning of the Gen3 period, once more just one win adopted in 2023 but it surely got here after a scintillating efficiency as he snatched the lead away from his previous team-mate Vergne on the penultimate lap with the transfer of the season in Cape City.
His Formulation E profession was in jeopardy firstly of 2024 as a string of poor outcomes and distinct lack of tempo meant there was a real threat of him shedding his seat. Victory in Misano was cruelly snatched away on account of a automobile technical infringement, with out which he would as soon as once more have been a real championship contender having gone on an unimaginable run of 4 wins inside 5 races throughout the second section of the season.
3. Sebastien Buemi
Begins: 127
Wins: 13
Poles: 16
Championships: 1 (2015-16)
Buemi has been a number one gentle of Formulation E since its inception
Photograph by: Adam Warner / Motorsport Photos
Sebastien Buemi was one of many main lights throughout the early years of the fledgling championship, as he and Renault e.dams set new requirements throughout the Gen1 period.
A hat-trick of victories, together with on a shortened format of the Monaco circuit, put the ex-Toro Rosso Formulation 1 driver in with a shot of the title throughout the first season. However a spin on his outlap after switching vehicles within the London finale, which dropped him behind Bruno Senna, proved vital as he didn’t beat Nelson Piquet Jr by only one level within the standings.
One other title tilt adopted the subsequent season through three extra wins, earlier than one of the controversial moments in Formulation E historical past as championship rival Lucas di Grassi collided with polesitter Buemi firstly of the London decider. With each vehicles closely broken however capable of return to the pits, permitting every to swap into their second race vehicles, the factors for quickest lap in the end went in favour of Buemi who snatched the title by solely two factors.
Clashing World Endurance Championship commitments probably prevented Buemi changing into a two-time Formulation E champion as he missed each races in New York having dominated the early a part of the 2016-17 season with six wins in eight races, in the end shedding out to di Grassi. The beginning of the Gen2 period coincided with DAMS switching to Nissan and a late surge in type, which included a win in New York and three additional podiums, meant he completed as runner-up within the standings in 2019.
Remarkably, his victory in America has proved the final triumph for Buemi in Formulation E because the Swiss driver has struggled to seek out the identical type over the newest 5 years. Three extra seasons with Nissan failed to supply outcomes, two of which yielded no podiums, and for the beginning of the Gen3 period, Buemi moved throughout to Envision and a Jaguar powertrain.
However, whereas team-mate Nick Cassidy would go on to problem for the title, Buemi took just one podium all season, in London after sarcastically colliding with Cassidy – which obliterated his championship hopes. Consistency helped Envision to the groups’ title, although, and two extra podiums had been achieved final season. Regardless of the shortage of current outcomes, Buemi’s early dominance within the championship means he nonetheless sits equal-first within the all-time winners’ listing (13) and second within the pole place desk (16).
2. Lucas di Grassi
Begins: 131
Wins: 13
Poles: 4
Championships: 1 (2016-17)
In addition to being one of the profitable drivers, maybe di Grassi is essentially the most influential
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos
A championship, two runner-up spots and a brace of thirds within the total standings cement Lucas di Grassi’s place as one of many all-time greats in Formulation E.
Statistically, di Grassi holds the report for the best variety of begins (131) – having solely missed one race when Mahindra withdrew in Cape City 2023 on account of a automobile security challenge – most podiums (40), and the equal most wins (13) with Sebastien Buemi.
Di Grassi and Buemi’s Formulation E careers are intertwined because the pair traded blows throughout the early Gen1 period, the Brazilian having raced for the Audi Abt squad for what can be a seven-year spell. Third within the opening marketing campaign earlier than ending runner-up after the now notorious London Battersea Park crash, di Grassi got here via in opposition to all odds to beat the extra dominant Buemi/Renault e.dams mixture in 2016-17.
A poor begin to his title defence meant retaining his crown was by no means probably, however an unimaginable run of two wins and 5 second-place finishes within the last seven races of 2017-18 moved him as much as second come the top of the season.
Two extra wins the next season left him third however Audi struggled to match the tempo of its opponents and the choice by the German producer to drag out on the finish of the 2020-21 marketing campaign meant di Grassi was left to seek out employment with Venturi. Regardless of new environment, di Grassi took three podiums and a win in London to complete fifth within the standings earlier than transferring to Mahindra for the beginning of the Gen3 period.
Though the powertrain was underdeveloped and off the tempo, di Grassi showcased his prowess as one among Formulation E’s most versatile drivers by taking pole within the season-opening Mexico Metropolis E-Prix and holding on for his solely podium all season.
A return to Abt final time period was di Grassi’s worst within the championship, although, as he solely completed within the factors thrice all season and was resoundingly crushed by team-mate Nico Muller. Remaining with the workforce for the upcoming season because it begins a brand new partnership with Lola/Yamaha provides a brand new lease of life for the now 40-year-old in his twilight years.
Off the race observe, di Grassi was additionally elementary in serving to to create the all-electric championship within the first place alongside long-time buddy Alejandro Agag, all of which helps cement his place as a legend of Formulation E.
1. Jean-Eric Vergne
Begins: 130
Wins: 11
Poles: 17
Championships: 2 (2017-18 & 2018-19)
Vergne is the one a number of champion in Formulation E historical past
Photograph by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Photos
The one two-time champion in Formulation E historical past, Jean-Eric Vergne’s spot at primary on this listing stretches past that statistic on account of his velocity, longevity and fierce will-to-win.
Pole on his collection debut in Punta del Este for Andretti signalled an indication of issues to return, though it could take till the top of 2017 earlier than Vergne stood on the highest step regardless of a number of podiums previous to that with the American squad and DS Virgin, each in one-year spells.
His victory in Montreal for the newly created Techeetah workforce, having taken 4 runner-up finishes earlier within the marketing campaign, was the proper springboard for the next season. 4 wins and factors finishes in all 12 races helped the ex-Toro Rosso Formulation 1 driver safe his first title in emphatic style and produce a near the Gen1 period.
Any ideas {that a} reset with the brand new Gen2 rules would supply hope for his rivals didn’t materialise as Vergne and Techeetah, now with help from DS, hit the bottom working as three extra wins secured one other drivers’ title and the primary groups’ triumph.
Only one win adopted throughout the COVID-19 hit 2019-20 season, and a fractious relationship developed with new team-mate and eventual champion Antonio Felix da Costa on account of a number of on-track flashpoints between the pair.
Just one win adopted within the subsequent two seasons because the Frenchman completed tenth and fourth respectively within the standings to finish the Gen2 period, as consistency within the early races of Gen3 introduced him into title competition once more. Victory in Hyderabad 2023 after a powerful defensive drive has confirmed to be the newest win for Vergne as an absence of outright tempo proved his undoing.
Solely two non-scores final season saved him within the title hunt as soon as extra as Vergne’s ex-F1 engineer Phil Charles took over on the helm, with a noticeable enchancment in tempo as three pole positions in 2024 meant Vergne set a brand new outright report with 17, whereas he additionally holds essentially the most factors gathered with 1133. On the age of simply 34 and a aggressive spirit as robust as ever in a steadily bettering bundle, Vergne’s spot at primary might be solidified much more within the coming years.
Who will cement their standing subsequent season?
Photograph by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Photos
